Wendelin Van Draanen Quotes

Powerful Wendelin Van Draanen for Daily Growth

About Wendelin Van Draanen

Wendelin Van Draanen is an acclaimed American author whose work spans various genres including children's literature, young adult fiction, and mystery novels. Born on May 16, 1951, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, she grew up in a family of seven children and developed an early love for storytelling. Van Draanen attended Calvin College in her hometown before moving to southern California where she earned a degree in Creative Writing from California State University, Long Beach. Influenced by authors such as Roald Dahl, J.D. Salinger, and Stephen King, her writing style is characterized by vivid characters, engaging plots, and a blend of humor, drama, and suspense. Her first published novel was "The Cello Under the Bed" in 1985. However, Van Draanen gained widespread recognition with the release of "Sammy Keyes" series in 1997. This mystery series, revolving around a teenage detective named Sammy, became a beloved staple for young readers, garnering positive reviews and multiple awards. In 2003, Van Draanen published "Shana," a heart-wrenching novel about a girl who wakes up after a coma only to find her life drastically altered. The book was later adapted into the movie "Flipped" starring Callan McAuliffe and Madeline Carroll. One of her most celebrated works is "The Running Dream," published in 2010. This powerful novel tells the story of a young girl who loses her leg in an accident but decides to compete in a marathon as part of her recovery. The book was met with critical acclaim and was selected for numerous state reading lists. Today, Wendelin Van Draanen continues to write compelling stories that resonate with readers of all ages. Her work is celebrated for its ability to tackle complex themes while maintaining a deep respect for the emotional complexity of young people.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Words, once they are printed, have a life of their own."

This quote highlights the power and autonomy of words beyond their original context. It suggests that once written or published, words can take on a life of their own, influencing thoughts, emotions, actions, and even shaping societal norms or beliefs, long after they were first spoken or penned. It underscores the significance of thoughtful communication and responsible writing in shaping our collective understanding and experiences.


"The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra."

This quote suggests that the distinction between commonplace and exceptional outcomes or actions lies in the "little extra" effort, skill, creativity, or care that an individual invests beyond what's expected. It emphasizes the importance of going above and beyond to make a lasting impact, distinguishing oneself from others and elevating one's experiences and achievements to extraordinary levels.


"It's never too late to be who you might have been."

This quote by Wendelin Van Draanen signifies that it is never too late to transform oneself, embrace new opportunities, or pursue dreams that were once left unattended. It encourages individuals to break free from past limitations and assumptions about themselves, and to continue growing, learning, and becoming the best version of themselves, no matter their age or current circumstances. Essentially, it's a reminder that personal growth is an ongoing process, and one should never abandon hope for self-improvement or achieving potentials that were not fully realized in the past.


"Don't worry about being perfect; just focus on being better than yesterday."

This quote by Wendelin Van Draanen emphasizes progress over perfection. It suggests that striving for excellence or improvement in oneself is more attainable and sustainable compared to the unrealistic pursuit of perfection. By concentrating on being better than yesterday, one embraces a mindset of growth and development, acknowledging that improvement happens gradually over time. This perspective encourages individuals to focus on making consistent progress rather than aiming for an impossible standard, fostering resilience, self-compassion, and a commitment to personal growth.


"Sometimes the best way to make a dream come true is to wake up."

This quote suggests that pursuing a dream may require a shift in perspective or approach, and sometimes, facing reality (i.e., "waking up") can help one realize that the current path towards their dream isn't realistic or effective. In other words, to achieve one's dream, it might be necessary to re-evaluate our assumptions, let go of unrealistic expectations, and adopt a more practical and achievable strategy. This process can feel like "waking up" from an illusion and embracing the realities of the situation to take actionable steps towards making the dream a reality.


What sort of person you grow into should not be achieved by default, and often that's exactly what happens to kids. I see literature as a method of guidance, information, and contemplation, and consider it the greatest compliment possible when a reader tells me that a book of mine really made him/her think.

- Wendelin Van Draanen

Book, I See, Reader, Contemplation

I rewrite my books many times before submitting them, and after my editor takes a look I wind up rewriting some more! It's a good thing I learned at an early age to keep on trying. Stick to it, and eventually you'll get there.

- Wendelin Van Draanen

Some, Before, Eventually, Rewrite

Writing is work. It takes a lot of contemplation, concentration, and out-and-out sweat. People tend to romanticize it, that somehow your work appears by benefit of some mystical external force. In reality, to be a writer, you have to sit down and write. It's work, and often it's hard work.

- Wendelin Van Draanen

Some, Your, Appears, Sit

There are certain things I believe we need to keep in our emotional arsenal as we navigate through life. Hope is a big one. The more of that we can carry, the better.

- Wendelin Van Draanen

Through, Navigate, Big One, Arsenal

If you are interested in writing, get out and live your life! Do a lot. See a lot. Keep your eyes and ears open. Pay attention to the different ways people speak. Read lots of different kinds of books. And then try writing in different voices and styles - don't be afraid to experiment.

- Wendelin Van Draanen

Different Kinds, Your, Kinds, Open

You can't be preachy - kids are allergic to messages.

- Wendelin Van Draanen

You, Messages, Kids, Allergic

My mission as a writer is to give my readers hope to carry with them, and to promote a belief that they can do anything they set their minds to.

- Wendelin Van Draanen

Give, Set, Them, Readers

I believe in the paramount importance of entertainment, but I have something to say.

- Wendelin Van Draanen

Entertainment, Importance, Paramount

Part of my motivation for writing mysteries for young people is that I loved mysteries when I was growing up, and now that I'm on the creative end of things, I'm discovering that they're even more fun to write!

- Wendelin Van Draanen

Motivation, Young, Part, Fun

I write early in the morning at the computer, and people think I'm crazy, but I still use my Mac-Classic even though we have a state-of-the-art PC. There are just less distractions with the simpler machine.

- Wendelin Van Draanen

Think, Still, Though, Simpler

Don't even try to talk to me when I'm watching the moon. That's my moon, baby.

- Wendelin Van Draanen

Space, Moon, Even, Baby

I've run my whole life - for more than exercise, for mental health.

- Wendelin Van Draanen

Exercise, More, Than, Run

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