That's the irony in the work: the best stories are the worst things that happen. My best times were somebody else's worst.
Interpretation
The best narratives often arise from difficult experiences faced by others.
This quote by Michael Connelly reflects on the paradox that the most compelling stories often originate from tragedy or hardship. It suggests that while individuals may endure painful and challenging moments, those very experiences can serve as rich material for storytelling, transforming personal suffering into art that resonates with others and captures the essence of human resilience.
In practice
This quote can be shared during a writing workshop to inspire budding authors.
I would change very little because I have been very, very fortunate. A lot of things fell into place for me simply by happenstance. When that happens you don't really want to change anything, even if you could. Editorially my regrets are few and for the most part minor. I look back on my first published book and think I held on to it too long, babied it too long.
The fulfillment I get from a good day of writing is addictive and will always bring me back the next day.
I trust the readers to build their own visual images. To me, that's part of the wonder of reading.
I'm going to have to be impressed and feel confident in the people I'm handing a book to - or I'm not going to do it. Once you hand it to them, you're out. You have no control over it.
You can fall in love and make love many times but there is only one bullet with your name etched on the side. And if you are lucky enough to be shot with that bullet then the wound never heals.
I watched 'Kojak' religiously with my father. It was a great bonding time. He loved shows where the stakes were high. Life and death, justice prevailing, things like that. I think that helped set me on the path to what I do now.
My only regret about being gay is that I repressed it for so long. I surrendered my youth to the people I feared when I could have been out there loving someone. Don't make that mistake yourself. Life's too damn short.
Jeronimo, my grandfather, swine-herder and story-teller, feeling death about to arrive and take him, went and said goodbye to the trees in the yard, one by one, embracing them and crying because he knew he wouldn't see them again. To truly appreciate life we must remember that nothing lasts for ever and take nothing we enjoy for granted. In so doing we stay grateful and happy for all our good fortune.
It's all a farce, - these tales they tell About the breezes sighing, And moans astir o'er field and dell, Because the year is dying.
Somebody help me, tell me where to go from here cause even Thugs cry, but do the Lord care?
Oh, how I regret not having worn a bikini for the entire year I was 26. If anyone young is reading this, go, right this minute, put on a bikini, and don't take it off until you're 34.
Life is a game, play it... Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
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