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.
Life is what happens to you while you're planning on doing something else.
In the stormy current of life characters are weights or floats which at one time make us glide along the bottom, and at another maintain us on the surface.
I cannot rest from travel: I will drink Life to the lees: all times I have enjoyed Greatly, have suffered greatly, both with those That loved me, and alone.
Experience life in all possible ways -- good-bad, bitter-sweet, dark-light, summer-winter. Experience all the dualities. Don't be afraid of experience, because the more experience you have, the more mature you become.
I don't know that I should care for a man who made life easy; I should want some one who made it interesting.
Don't be dependent on anyone else. I want to go everywhere, look at, and listen to everything. You can go crazy with some of the wonderful stuff there is in life.
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