[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fSF5LOVc3Rn49sU2keHqP6PPPDOGv30xns8uIgHHhSMc":3,"$fSjzwPYEkBmMhSfm6uc0RD2eqWxLtXt5kyUMREhVcEs8":28},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},4417,"James A. Michener","J",213,null,"james-a-michener",[12,16,20,24],{"tag_id":13,"tag_name":14,"tag_count":15},60,"writing",11,{"tag_id":17,"tag_name":18,"tag_count":19},56,"thinking",9,{"tag_id":21,"tag_name":22,"tag_count":23},904,"travel",8,{"tag_id":25,"tag_name":26,"tag_count":27},326,"men",5,{"quotes":29,"pagination":93},[30,39,45,51,57,63,69,75,81,87],{"id":31,"quote_text":32,"author_id":5,"source_id":33,"has_image":34,"author":35,"source":36,"quote_tag":37,"commentary":38},3710327,"Honest to God, I do all the research on these books myself.",7,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],"**The Backstory**\nJames A. Michener, a prolific American author known for his sweeping historical novels, often emphasized the importance of meticulous research in crafting his stories. This quote likely originated from an interview or public appearance where Michener was discussing his writing process, reflecting on his commitment to authenticity and attention to detail. During this period, Michener had already established himself as a successful author, having published several bestsellers, but he continued to push the boundaries of historical fiction.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nWhat lies beneath Michener's statement is a fundamental tension between humility and confidence. On one hand, he claims personal responsibility for the research, implying that even with a team of assistants, the final product is his own creation. This assertion belies the paradoxical nature of creative genius: while an artist must take credit for their vision, they also acknowledge the intricate web of influences, sources, and contributors that shape their work.\n\n**How to Use This**\nTo apply Michener's mindset in your own creative endeavors, adopt a posture of radical self-responsibility. Recognize that even when working with others, you are ultimately accountable for the end result. By embracing this dual role—researcher and creator—you can more effectively navigate the collaborative process, ensuring that your unique vision is both informed by external expertise and elevated by personal dedication.",{"id":40,"quote_text":41,"author_id":5,"source_id":33,"has_image":34,"author":42,"source":43,"quote_tag":44,"commentary":9},3710320,"I know the world of opera so intimately: historical sweep, sharply defined characters, not too rational an explanation of what's going on. It's a feast.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":46,"quote_text":47,"author_id":5,"source_id":33,"has_image":34,"author":48,"source":49,"quote_tag":50,"commentary":9},3710312,"I missed a whole cycle of childhood, but I've never used it as a device for self-pity.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":52,"quote_text":53,"author_id":5,"source_id":33,"has_image":34,"author":54,"source":55,"quote_tag":56,"commentary":9},3710308,"Very early on in life, I decided the hell with it: material things weren't for me. Christmas would come, and other kids would have all these presents, and it wouldn't bother me a bit.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":58,"quote_text":59,"author_id":5,"source_id":33,"has_image":34,"author":60,"source":61,"quote_tag":62,"commentary":9},3710306,"If I were a young man today, I might be lured into the moviemaking industry. You can really make a statement there.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":64,"quote_text":65,"author_id":5,"source_id":33,"has_image":34,"author":66,"source":67,"quote_tag":68,"commentary":9},3710303,"I attended seminars where many social issues were discussed abstractly, outside the pressures of an immediate situation, and there I developed certain attitudes which permitted me to face the real thing when it came along.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":70,"quote_text":71,"author_id":5,"source_id":33,"has_image":34,"author":72,"source":73,"quote_tag":74,"commentary":9},3710298,"I can't remember how old I was, maybe 13, 14, and to see these fellows and hear their stories and to see life come to such a drab ending - my God, a poorhouse in those days was something. You would have to be inert not to respond to it.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":76,"quote_text":77,"author_id":5,"source_id":33,"has_image":34,"author":78,"source":79,"quote_tag":80,"commentary":9},3710295,"I am the product of the American education system. It is a system that has always been on the lookout for bright boys and girls. It spotted me when I was 14, and I owe a tremendous debt to my alma mater.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":82,"quote_text":83,"author_id":5,"source_id":33,"has_image":34,"author":84,"source":85,"quote_tag":86,"commentary":9},3710268,"A person on dialysis undergoes very heavy and irritating treatment, and in time, it seems more than you can bear.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":88,"quote_text":89,"author_id":5,"source_id":33,"has_image":34,"author":90,"source":91,"quote_tag":92,"commentary":9},3710258,"I'm just a guy up on a hill writing.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"currentPage":94,"totalPages":95,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":96},1,22,10]