In my experience, there is only one motivation, and that is desire. No reasons or principle contain it or stand against it. Jane Smiley desireexperiencemotivation Change image and share on social
Before I write a novel, images float around in my head that work like icons - they are meaningless in themselves, but serve as reminders. Jane Smiley floatheadicon Change image and share on social
I was an only child. I've known only children. From this experience, I do believe that the children should outnumber the parents. Jane Smiley childexperiencehave Change image and share on social
A child who is protected from all controversial ideas is as vulnerable as a child who is protected from every germ. The infection, when it comes- and it will come- may overwhelm the system, be it the immune system or the belief system. Jane Smiley beliefchildcontroversial share on social
I had spent years thinking about one thing while I was doing another. I had, in fact, prided myself on being able to do two things at once. Jane Smiley factpridespend Change image and share on social
If American literature has a few heroes, Miller is one of them. He refused to name names at the McCarthy hearings, and his play 'The Crucible' analysed the hearings in the context of a previous American mass psychosis, the Salem witch trials. Jane Smiley americananalysecontext share on social
There is a sociology of horses, as well as a psychology. It is most evident in the world of horse racing, where many horses are gathered together, where year after year, decade after decade, they do the same, rather simple thing - run in races and try to win. Jane Smiley decadeevidentgather share on social
I loved the house the way you would any new house, because it is populated by your future, the family of children who will fill it with noise or chaos and satisfying busy pleasures. Jane Smiley busychaoschild Change image and share on social
Your sons weren't made to like you. That's what grandchildren are for. Jane Smiley grandchildmakeson Change image and share on social
