Famous Quotes of Neil Gaiman

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Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman is a contemporary British Author, screenwriter, and graphic novelist. He is known for writing quality fantasy and science fiction works, genres that are often not respected by the literary community. Among his numerous works, he has written the critically acclaimed American Gods, Coraline, Stardust, and The Sandman Series. He is known for being outspoken about the importance of creativity and the rights of artists. His active interactions with fans via social media have made him incredibly popular, particularly with a younger, digitally engaged generation.

‘People think dreams aren’t real just because they aren’t made of matter, of particles. Dreams are real. But they are made of viewpoints, of images, of memories and puns and lost hopes.’

Gaiman paints a very whimsical picture of the world inside people’s heads. He argues that our aspirations are no different than solid matter in front of us. It is for that very reason that dreams should be taken seriously and not scoffed at.

‘Tomorrow may be hell, but today was a good writing day, and on the good writing days nothing else matters.’

Sometimes the most difficult part of writing is finding adequate time to write. No matter what is going on in your life, an aspiring writer must always put ‘reality’ aside, sit down at their desk, and type away.

‘Most books on witchcraft will tell you that witches work naked. This is because most books on witchcraft were written by men.’

This is some witty commentary on the nature of the historical record. History is not composed of facts. It is composed of subjective accounts from the dominating party at the time. Men created witchcraft as a way to put down and sexualize women who were living along and trying their best to be independent at the time.

‘Being a writer is a very peculiar sort of a job: it’s always you versus a blank sheet of paper (or a blank screen) and quite often the blank piece of paper wins.’

Gaiman uses his sense of humor to convey the sheer absurdity of the writing process.

‘You get what anybody gets – you get a lifetime.’

Everyone starts on the same playing field when it comes to life. You may be born rich, you may be born poor, but ultimately you get the amount of time that everyone else gets to make the most of your life.

‘I do not miss childhood, but I miss the way I took pleasure in small things, even as greater things crumbled.’

Many aspects of childhood can bring back unhappy memories, but the best part of being a child ‘ the part that everyone cherishes ‘ is the ability to enjoy little things. The state of the government didn’t bother you. The financial state of your home didn’t stress you. Most unhappiness could be shut out when something pleasurable came along. Unfortunately, this is so often not the case when it comes to adults.

‘You get ideas all the time. The only difference between writers and other people is we notice when we’re doing it.’

A great writer is not only observant of the world around them, but of their own thoughts and ideas. All people get ideas, but only some of them are able to recognize those ideas and convey them in a way that other people can understand.

‘Because if you don’t stand up for the stuff you don’t like, when they come for the stuff you do like, you’ve already lost.’

This quote was in reference to freedom of speech. Often people want to silence those that they do not like or feel are in need of censure. Here, Gaiman points out how important it is to defend the work you don’t like before people try to censor the stuff you do enjoy and find valuable.

‘If you like fantasy and you want to be the next Tolkien, don’t read big Tolkienesque fantasies ” Tolkien didn’t read big Tolkienesque fantasies, he read books on Finnish philology. Go and read outside of your comfort zone, go and learn stuff.’

Great ideas do not emerge from surrounding yourself with things you’re already comfortable with. You become inspired when you are learning new things and being taken to unfamiliar places and realms.

‘Start telling the stories that only you can tell, because there’ll always be better writers than you and there’ll always be smarter writers than you. There will always be people who are much better at doing this or doing that – but you are the only you.’

Writers ‘ and artists of all kinds ‘ can strive to create the best work possible by perfecting their art. However, it is important not perfect until you lose all individuality. Ultimately, there will always be someone better, but no one can simulate your style, your unique point of view.

‘One thing I’ve learned: you can know anything, it’s all there, you just have to find it.’

All knowledge is obtainable. Learning is not the difficult part. Seeking out information to become knowledgeable is the most difficult part of the process.

‘Remember: when people tell you something’s wrong or doesn’t work for them, they are almost always right. When they tell you exactly what they think is wrong and how to fix it, they are almost always wrong.’

This is fantastic advice for any artist going through the editing process and asking for the opinions of others. You must always listen when someone tells you that a certain element is not working for them. However, they don’t always have the right idea when it comes to fixing the problem. Listen to advice, but stay true to your ultimate vision.

‘So that’s my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody’s ever made before. Don’t freeze, don’t stop, don’t worry that it isn’t good enough, or it isn’t perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.’

The more you analyze your actions, the more boring you make your life. With great success comes great risk, so you are likely to make many mistakes. However, the best part of making grand mistakes is that you are bound to learn from them and can go on to great success later.

‘Read. Read anything. Read the things they say are good for you, and the things they claim are junk. You’ll find what you need to find. Just read.’

Reading is one of the most essential elements of a well-educated life and a great artist. It exposes you to new things, whether it be the classics or the latest trashy romance novel.

‘People tend to find books when they are ready for them.’

People have this uncanny tendency to be attracted to titles that speak to that moment or time in their lives.

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