Quotes by Jack Vance

About Jack Vance:

John Holbrook was an American mystery, fantasy, and science fiction writer. Though most of his work has been published under the name Jack Vance, he also wrote 11 mystery novels using his full name John Holbrook Vance, three under the pseudonym Ellery Queen, and one each using the pseudonyms Alan Wade, Peter Held, John van See, and Jay Kavanse. Some editions of his published works give his year of birth as 1920.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

These are just the tip of the iceberg, because I read and read and read. I read everything.

Jack Vance

Sometimes some of these little side excursions are useful and I manage to fit them in the book somewhere.

Jack Vance

It seems to limit you; when you're working in an office, you're a creature in a small cell under somebody's supervision and surveillance.

Jack Vance

In fact, almost every job you get somebody watching you.

Jack Vance

I'd never been published when I was young.

Jack Vance

I worked for half a cent a word. I'm not a fast writer to begin with, so for the first few years I had do other things.

Jack Vance

I was an omnivore at reading, so that everything I ever read contributed.

Jack Vance

I thought that automobiles were going to have mufflers and go fast and airplanes were going to fly fast.

Jack Vance

I just wrote what I felt like writing since they seemed to sell.

Jack Vance

There was a writer in the '20s called Christopher Morley, who I remember a little bit of, who had some influence on me, but I couldn't tell you what it was.

Jack Vance

So I'll write it, and then I'll find out that I actually wrote something that is utterly useless. You can't use it in the story and it doesn't fit. So I just throw it away. I've done that countless times.

Jack Vance

I haven't been to a movie since somebody gave me free tickets to Star Wars, which I went to.

Jack Vance

I got done writing Ports of Call and suddenly realized I have far too much material for the book.

Jack Vance

But, for instance, when I was awfully young, I read all the Oz books. They were an enormous influence on me.

Jack Vance

But I've sure worked at jobs where I have been under inspection.

Jack Vance

What is peace? Balance three iron skewers tip to tip, one upon the other; at the summit, emplace an egg, so that it too poises static in mid-air, and there you have the condition of peace in this world of men.

Jack Vance

Guyal of Sfere had been born one apart from his fellows and early proved a source of vexation for his sire. Normal in outward configuration, there existed within his mind a void that ached for nourishment. It was as if a spell had been cast upon his ...

Jack Vance

One becomes sated with platitudes no less than honey, so that one often breaks another's bones in one's vexation.

Jack Vance

Until work has reached its previous stage nympharium privileges are denied to all.

Jack Vance

Twango's hospitality, though largely symbolic, does him credit.

Jack Vance

Good music always defeats bad luck.

Jack Vance

Author Bio

  • NameJack Vance
  • DescriptionAmerican mystery and speculative fiction writer
  • BornAugust 28, 1916
  • DiedMay 26, 2013
  • CountryUnited States Of America
  • ProfessionWriter; Novelist
  • AwardsNebula Award