294 Quotes by Jeannette Walls

I believe that everyone has some huge talent in them; the really lucky ones discover what it is.

I always wanted to be a serious journalist.

I was so worried that people wouldn't like me or my story.

When I asked my mother, ‘how do I tell people about you’ her answer was ‘tell the truth’. But of course, the truth is never simple.

I found out that people are incredibly compassionate and kind. It really changed my view of the world.

When I got a little older, I started writing for the high school newspaper, 'The Maroon Wave,' and that's when I fell in love with journalism.

Whenever I'm reading a book I enjoy, I always develop a mental list of the people I want to share it with.

One of the many lessons I hope I've learned is how much I underestimated people, their open-mindedness and their willingness to understand. I think, moreover, I underestimated the degree to which everyone has a story. So my advice, for whatever it's worth, is to trust readers, trust the truth and trust the power of storytelling.

The best time to tell your story is when you have to tell your story. When it's not really a choice. But then, when you get that first, messy, complicated version down, you have to read it over and be very tough on yourself and ask, 'Well what's the story here?' If you're lucky enough to have someone you trust looking over your shoulder, he or she can help you if [you] lack perspective on your own story.