My father valued patriotism above all other social obligations, but he had his own particular interpretation of just how true patriotism was meant to function. Thomas Steinbeck fatherfunctioninterpretation Change image and share on social
My father thought of himself as a tradesman. A craftsman. Thomas Steinbeck craftsmanfatherthink Change image and share on social
Plot makes the character just as history makes the man. Thomas Steinbeck characterhistorymake Change image and share on social
The biggest impact my father had on my life was teaching the importance of literacy. Thomas Steinbeck bigfatherimpact Change image and share on social
My only job is to write in such a way that the reader gets a new handle on humanity. Thomas Steinbeck handlehumanityjob Change image and share on social
My father, John Steinbeck, was a man who held human history in great reverence, and in particular the biographies of those people who had risked their lives, their fortunes, and their worldly honor to defend the rights and prerogatives of those who were powerless to defend themselves. Thomas Steinbeck biographydefendfather share on social
My father told us all the time: to become a good writer takes writing. Because the more you do it, the better you get at it. It's like bull-riding. You can't do it once, you know. You've got to practice it and practice it. Thomas Steinbeck bullfathergood share on social
The characters in my stories, whether historical or fictional, usually prove to be a compilation of influences taken from differing sources, but never drawn from one model. Thomas Steinbeck charactercompilationdiffer Change image and share on social
You didn't grow up in the shadow of John Steinbeck. He put you on his shoulders and gave you all the light you wanted. Thomas Steinbeck givegrowjohn Change image and share on social
Since I can't write the greatest American novel, I'm going to write the longest American novel. Thomas Steinbeck americangreatlong Change image and share on social