David Lucero > Quotes

“Writing is not always a writer's playtime. It's actually a work in progress. Few understand this and mistakenly believe we're wasting time. But it's never a waste of time when doing what you love.”
― David Lucero, Big Jim

“Yes, I could stop writing... But only after I shoot myself.”
― David Lucero, Big Jim

“I don't mind people talking about me behind my back. It means they know me, and I'm out in front.”
― David Lucero, Who's Minding the Store?

“I haven’t been late,” she replied, flatly. Derrick looked at the report. “You can read this, right?” “I can read the report,” she said. “But it’s wrong.” Of course it was. “How do you figure?” Lorraine paused, searching for the right words. “Well, when I’m at home getting ready in the morning, I’m thinking about work. So, in a way, I’m actually working, except I haven’t clocked in. Therefore, technically I’m not late, because my mind is on the job.” Derrick waited for her to laugh, and say she that was kidding. He wanted her to say that she’d make it to work on time, from now on. No such luck. She was dead serious, and farther out in left field than he had ever imagined.”
― David Lucero, Who's Minding the Store

“But there wasn’t much peace to be had on Southern California freeways during the morning rush hour. The pace alternated between brief intervals of violent acceleration, and total gridlock. He was navigating the I-5 and 805 merge—known euphemistically as the ‘Golden Triangle’—when a motorcyclist riding a blue Kawasaki ZX6 cut in front of him, passing so close to Derrick’s front bumper that he felt his body tense for collision. Somehow, it didn’t come. Still crossing the freeway on a reckless diagonal, the bike barely missed getting run over by a semi-truck in the far right lane. The truck driver blew his horn long and angrily. Without looking up, the cyclist raised his left fist and made the time-honored ‘bird’ gesture. Then, he darted down the off ramp, and sped away on the East 56 freeway. Derrick shook his head in amazement. “What the hell is wrong with people?” Not more than thirty seconds later, he passed an Amber Alert sign that read, “SHARE THE ROAD. LOOK TWICE FOR MOTORCYCLES.”
― David Lucero, Who's Minding the Store

“Going to school takes a lot of work. I know you stay up late studying, but if you can’t make it to work on time let me know now. Maybe I can schedule you for closing shifts.” Just as Kyle had done, Pete stared at Derrick like he was speaking a foreign language. “I appreciate you wanting to work with me,” the young associate said. “But it would cut into my time with Wendy.” Derrick had no idea who Pete was talking about. “Who’s Wendy?” “She’s my girlfriend. She doesn’t believe I take our relationship seriously, so I’ve been crashing at her place this past month, to be with her.” Derrick was more than perplexed. “You mean you’ve been tardy these past weeks because you’re staying up late with your girlfriend?” Pete nodded casually. “What can I say? She’s hot!” Derrick suppressed a groan.”
― David Lucero, Who's Minding the Store

“We write because we have to. If we stopped writing, we would go out of our mind and drive people around us crazy. Write whenever you can, and if you don't feel like writing, do it anyway. You'll be happy that you did.”
― David Lucero, Big Jim

“Derrick Payton was up to his ears in cancelled orders and returns. No one at The Design had the backbone to tell a customer, “No, we can’t cancel your order. No, we can’t issue you a refund.” He knew the source of the problem. Whenever someone did get up the nerve to say no to a customer, the irate shopper would demand to speak to someone of higher authority, like a vice president, or the CEO. When the complaint hit the desk of one of the big dogs, the response was always the same... “Take care of the customer.”
― David Lucero, Who's Minding the Store

“PJ slammed his hand on the counter again. “Damn it! I WANT SATISFACTION!” Samantha took this latest outburst as her cue to leave the office. Derrick resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Who the hell doesn’t want satisfaction? “Have you spoken with your designer?” “I don’t want to talk to her,” PJ snapped. “I want my money back. I’m taking my business elsewhere.” The words were like music to Derrick’s ears. Nothing would give him more pleasure than to get this idiot out of his hair. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out, he said silently. By all means, go make life miserable for our competition.”
― David Lucero, Who's Minding the Store

“The corridor was strewn with the bodies of dead soldiers, and further back he could see the white glow of the melted fuel core coming his way. Loud cracking sounds echoed throughout the facility as the structural integrity of the place deteriorated into the radioactive goo.”
― David Lucero, The Sandman

“One thing was sure—he didn’t need this place any longer. He had fallen into the drudgery of routine here. Despite the 70 mile drive, maybe the change to a new store would be good for him. It was an opportunity to reinvent himself.”
― David Lucero, Who's Minding the Store

“So the world accuses us of whining, eh! They think fifty years is enough time to put 6 million ghosts out of our mind! Let bygones be bygones! Love thy neighbor! Live and let live! LIKE HELL!”
― David Lucero, The Sandman