James A. Owen > Quotes

“All stories are true. But some of them never happened.”
― James A. Owen, The Search for the Red Dragon

“Our weaknesses are always evident, both to ourselves and others. But our strengths are hidden until we choose to reveal them--and that is when we are truly tested. When all that we have within is exposed, and we may no longer blame our inadequacies for our failure, but must instead depend upon our strengths to succeed ... that is when the measure of a man is taken, my boy.”
― James A. Owen, Here, There Be Dragons

“Simple,' Tummeler replied.' Blueberries is one of the great forces o'good in the world.'

How do you figure that?' said Charles.

Well,' said Tummeler, 'have you ever seen a troll, or a Wendigo, or,' he shuddered, 'a Shadow-Born ever eating a blueberry pie?'

No,' Charles admitted.

There y'go,' said Tummeler. It's cause they can't stand the goodness in it.'

Can't argue with you there,' said Charles.

Foods is good and evil, just like people, or badgers, or even scowlers.'

Evil food?' said Charles.

Parsnips,' said Tummeler, 'Them's as evil as they come.”
― James A. Owen, Here, There Be Dragons

“Bad things can happen, and often do--but they only take up a few pages of your story; and anyone can survive a few pages.”
― James A. Owen, The Barbizon Diaries: A Meditation on Will, Purpose, and the Value Of Stories

“I'm a conundrum. Or an enigma. I forget which.”
― James A. Owen, The Shadow Dragons

“Power, true power, comes from the belief in true things, and the willingness to stand behind that belief, even if the universe itself conspires to thwart your plans. Chaos may settle; flames may die;
worlds may rise and fall. But true things will remain so, and will never fail to guide you to your goals.”
― James A. Owen, Here, There Be Dragons

“If I can't joke about imminent death, then I might as well just resign.”
― James A. Owen, The Search for the Red Dragon

“Don't ascribe to evil what can be attributed to well-intentioned stupidity.”
― James A. Owen, The Shadow Dragons

“I think that nonexistent mythological creature just broke some of your toes," Jack said.
Oh, shut up," said Charles”
― James A. Owen, Here, There Be Dragons

“It is the world, my boy," he said. "All the World, in ink and blood, vellum and parchment, leather and hide. It is the World, and it is yours to save or lose.”
― James A. Owen, Here, There Be Dragons

“I know,” said Peter. “Perhaps better than anyone. But you can’t stay a child forever. To choose to speak into Echo’s Well is to choose illusion. To choose to avoid the responsibilities of being an adult. The real trick—the real choice—is to keep the best of the child you were, without forgetting when you grow up.
“It is the best of both worlds, Jack. Being a child is to believe in magic everywhere…
“…but even Peter Pan had to grow up one day.”
― James A. Owen, The Search for the Red Dragon

“Just because I'm a murdering, thieving, cowardly, traitorous sort doesn't mean I can't do my job properly.”
― James A. Owen, The Search for the Red Dragon

“Jack," said Charles, "he's making up words again."

"Yes," Jack replied, "but he's getting better at it, don't you think?”
― James A. Owen, The Search for the Red Dragon

“Never, ever, sacrifice what you want the most, for what you want the most at that moment.”
― James A. Owen, Drawing Out The Dragons: A Meditation on Art, Destiny, and the Power of Choice

“said Jack matter-of-factly. "I'm a man. We're made to think more quickly."

...Aven swung her fist and clocked Jack square on the chin, knocking him backward into the balloon, which was still under repair.

...Aven rubbed her knuckles and looked at the others. "Sorry about that. I might have stopped myself from hitting him, but I didn't think of it quickly enough.”
― James A. Owen

“Not many people can lay claim to having broken Time, and we did it purely by accident.”
― James A. Owen, The Search for the Red Dragon

“That isn't a desperate act. That's a PLAN.”
― James A. Owen, The Search for the Red Dragon

“Astraeus,' Aven called out. 'God of the four winds and friend to sailors. Say a little prayer when you look at him, so he will give us what we need to keep our course.'

A little prayer?' said Jack. 'To a constellation?'

To what it represents,' said Aven.

But I don't believe in what it represents,' said Jack.

Prayers aren't for the deity,' said Aven. 'They're for you, to recommit yourself to what you believe.'

Can't you do that without praying to a dead Greek god?'

Sure,' said Aven. 'But how often would anyone do that, if not in prayer?”
― James A. Owen, Here, There Be Dragons

“Your ability to shape your destiny is directly proportional to your belief that it is a matter of will and determination--however much or little that belief may be.”
― James A. Owen, The Barbizon Diaries: A Meditation on Will, Purpose, and the Value Of Stories

“Always, always ask for what you want. Because the Universe might surprise you — and give it to you.”
― James A. Owen, Drawing Out The Dragons: A Meditation on Art, Destiny, and the Power of Choice

“Prayers aren't for the deity...They're for you, to recommit yourself to what you believe.”
― James A. Owen, Here, There Be Dragons

“You're a very odd man," said Bert.

"I get that more often than you'd think," replied Charles.”
― James A. Owen, The Search for the Red Dragon

“Interesting doesn't always equal practical, but being practical is always less interesting.”
― James A. Owen, The Shadow Dragons

“Discipline, Norah. If you're going to taunt them, remember to stick out your tongue.”
― James A. Owen, The Shadow Dragons

“If you really want to do something, no one can stop you. But if you really don’t want to do something, no one can help you”
― James A. Owen, Drawing Out The Dragons: A Meditation on Art, Destiny, and the Power of Choice

“I believe that every one of us has something that's very unique to us specifically. Something unique enough that no one else might really ever understand it — not our parents, or teachers, or best friends, or siblings.

It’s our point of view.

Our point of view is what makes us unique, because no one else — no one else — has your particular combination of thoughts, and dreams, and hopes, and desires, and ambitions and memories, and experiences. No one. And I believe that every once in a while, the Universe opens itself up to you and you alone, and shows you something that no one else is going to understand.  And you have to decide in that moment how much you believe in what you have seen — even if everyone else in the world tells you you're wrong.”
― James A. Owen, Drawing Out The Dragons: A Meditation on Art, Destiny, and the Power of Choice

“A choice with no consequences has no value. Making a choice knowing there will be consequences, and being willing to bear them, is what distinguishes the right choices from the wrong ones.”
― James A. Owen, Drawing Out The Dragons: A Meditation on Art, Destiny, and the Power of Choice

“Live deliberately. Decide: are you the kind of person things happen to, or the kind of person who makes things happen?”
― James A. Owen, Drawing Out The Dragons: A Meditation on Art, Destiny, and the Power of Choice

“Kind of bloodthirsty, don't you think, Charles?" said John.

"I'm an editor," said Charles. "I have to make decisions like that all the time.”
― James A. Owen, Here, There Be Dragons

“If you know something bad is coming, can't you plan to avoid it or try to do something differently?" said Charles.
Probably", said the Cartographer, "but then the good events would have no flavor. The joy you find in life is paid for by suffering that comes later, just as sometimes, the suffering is redeemed by a joy unexpected. That's the trade that makes a life worth living.”
― James A. Owen