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.
From the age of 15 to 50, I'd hardly stepped out of a kitchen. I just wanted to live a little, to spend time with my wife and children. The first time I saw snow was when I was 50, because I'd never had the time before.
I'd spend every summer in Longview on my grandfather's farm. It was a tiny little town divided by a river, which was the segregation line: that side white, this side black. And meanwhile, I lived in Compton - basically, another whole world sealed into 10 square blocks. It's interesting how insular an environment can be.
This was a big storm and he might as well enjoy it. It was ruining everything, but you might as well enjoy it
The secret of life', he said, 'is to become very very good at somethin' that's very very 'ard to do.
She would not shed a tear, she would not waste the rest of her years simmering in the maggot broth of memory.
About the time we can make the ends meet, somebody moves the ends.
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