Octavia Butler Quotes And Sayings

Octavia Estelle Butler was an American science fiction writer. A multiple recipient of both the Hugo and Nebula awards, Butler was one of the best-known women in the field. In 1995, she became the first science fiction writer to receive the MacArthur Fellowship, nicknamed the “Genius Grant”.

Sometimes Being A Friend Means Mastering The Art Of Timing. There Is A Time For Silence. A Time To Let Go And Allow People To Hurl Themselves Into Their Own Destiny. And A Time To Prepare To Pick Up The Pieces When It's All Over.

Octavia Butler Quotes (1) - Sometimes Being A Friend Means Master... - QuotesSometimes Being A Friend Means Mastering The Art Of Timing. There Is A Time For Silence. A Time To Let Go And Allow People To Hurl Themselves Into Their Own Destiny. And A Time To Prepare To Pick Up The Pieces When It's All Over.

Octavia Butler Quotes (1) - Sometimes Being A Friend Means Master... - Quotes

I Would Never Have Been A Good Scientist - My Attention Span Was Too Short For That.

Octavia Butler Quotes (12) - I Would Never Have Been A Good Scien... - QuotesI Would Never Have Been A Good Scientist - My Attention Span Was Too Short For That.

Octavia Butler Quotes (12) - I Would Never Have Been A Good Scien... - Quotes

And By The Way, I Wanted To Point Out That Kindred Is Not Science Fiction. You'll Note There's No Science In It. It's A Kind Of Grim Fantasy.

Octavia Butler Quotes (11) - And By The Way, I Wanted To Point Ou... - QuotesAnd By The Way, I Wanted To Point Out That Kindred Is Not Science Fiction. You'll Note There's No Science In It. It's A Kind Of Grim Fantasy.

Octavia Butler Quotes (11) - And By The Way, I Wanted To Point Ou... - Quotes

Here I Was Into Astronomy, And Here Into Anthropology, And There I Go Into Geology. It Was Much More Fun To Be Able To Research And Write About Whatever I Wanted To.

Octavia Butler Quotes (13) - Here I Was Into Astronomy, And Here ... - QuotesHere I Was Into Astronomy, And Here Into Anthropology, And There I Go Into Geology. It Was Much More Fun To Be Able To Research And Write About Whatever I Wanted To.

Octavia Butler Quotes (13) - Here I Was Into Astronomy, And Here ... - Quotes

What I'm Working On Now - I'm Back To Fantasy, Although Considering That It's Me, I'm Turning It Into A Kind Of Science Fantasy. It's A Vampire Story - But My Vampires Are Biological Vampires. They Didn't Become Vampires Because Someone Bit Them; They Were Born That Way.

Octavia Butler Quotes (10) - What I'm Working On Now - I'm Back T... - QuotesWhat I'm Working On Now - I'm Back To Fantasy, Although Considering That It's Me, I'm Turning It Into A Kind Of Science Fantasy. It's A Vampire Story - But My Vampires Are Biological Vampires. They Didn't Become Vampires Because Someone Bit Them; They Were Born That Way.

Octavia Butler Quotes (10) - What I'm Working On Now - I'm Back T... - Quotes

While Fledging Is A Different Type Of Book, The Parable Series Serve As Cautionary Tales. I Wrote The Parable Books Because Of The Direction Of The Country. You Can Call It Save The World Fiction, But It Clearly Doesn't Save Anything.

Octavia Butler Quotes (14) - While Fledging Is A Different Type O... - QuotesWhile Fledging Is A Different Type Of Book, The Parable Series Serve As Cautionary Tales. I Wrote The Parable Books Because Of The Direction Of The Country. You Can Call It Save The World Fiction, But It Clearly Doesn't Save Anything.

Octavia Butler Quotes (14) - While Fledging Is A Different Type O... - Quotes

I Have A Huge And Savage Conscience That Won't Let Me Get Away With Things.

Octavia Butler Quotes (16) - I Have A Huge And Savage Conscience ... - QuotesI Have A Huge And Savage Conscience That Won't Let Me Get Away With Things.

Octavia Butler Quotes (16) - I Have A Huge And Savage Conscience ... - Quotes

Fantasy Is Totally Wide Open; All You Really Have To Do Is Follow The Rules You've Set. But If You're Writing About Science, You Have To First Learn What You're Writing About.

Octavia Butler Quotes (17) - Fantasy Is Totally Wide Open; All Yo... - QuotesFantasy Is Totally Wide Open; All You Really Have To Do Is Follow The Rules You've Set. But If You're Writing About Science, You Have To First Learn What You're Writing About.

Octavia Butler Quotes (17) - Fantasy Is Totally Wide Open; All Yo... - Quotes

Writing Is One Of The Few Professions In Which You Can Psychoanalyse Yourself, Get Rid Of Hostilities And Frustrations In Public, And Get Paid For It.

Octavia Butler Quotes (15) - Writing Is One Of The Few Profession... - QuotesWriting Is One Of The Few Professions In Which You Can Psychoanalyse Yourself, Get Rid Of Hostilities And Frustrations In Public, And Get Paid For It.

Octavia Butler Quotes (15) - Writing Is One Of The Few Profession... - Quotes

On The Other Hand, I Was Very Much Interested In The Way People Behaved, The Human Dance, How They Seemed To Move Around Each Other. I Wanted To Play Around With That.

Octavia Butler Quotes (18) - On The Other Hand, I Was Very Much I... - QuotesOn The Other Hand, I Was Very Much Interested In The Way People Behaved, The Human Dance, How They Seemed To Move Around Each Other. I Wanted To Play Around With That.

Octavia Butler Quotes (18) - On The Other Hand, I Was Very Much I... - Quotes

I Was Attracted To Science Fiction Because It Was So Wide Open. I Was Able To Do Anything And There Were No Walls To Hem You In And There Was No Human Condition That You Were Stopped From Examining.

Octavia Butler Quotes (19) - I Was Attracted To Science Fiction B... - QuotesI Was Attracted To Science Fiction Because It Was So Wide Open. I Was Able To Do Anything And There Were No Walls To Hem You In And There Was No Human Condition That You Were Stopped From Examining.

Octavia Butler Quotes (19) - I Was Attracted To Science Fiction B... - Quotes

The Thing About Science Fiction Is That It's Totally Wide Open. But It's Wide Open In A Conditional Way.

Octavia Butler Quotes (20) - The Thing About Science Fiction Is T... - QuotesThe Thing About Science Fiction Is That It's Totally Wide Open. But It's Wide Open In A Conditional Way.

Octavia Butler Quotes (20) - The Thing About Science Fiction Is T... - Quotes

I Recognize We Will Pay More Attention When We Have Different Leadership.

Octavia Butler Quotes (21) - I Recognize We Will Pay More Attenti... - QuotesI Recognize We Will Pay More Attention When We Have Different Leadership.

Octavia Butler Quotes (21) - I Recognize We Will Pay More Attenti... - Quotes

Well, Writing Was What I Wanted To Do, It Was Always What I Wanted To Do. I Had Novels To Write So I Wrote Them.

Octavia Butler Quotes (2) - Well, Writing Was What I Wanted To Do... - QuotesWell, Writing Was What I Wanted To Do, It Was Always What I Wanted To Do. I Had Novels To Write So I Wrote Them.

Octavia Butler Quotes (2) - Well, Writing Was What I Wanted To Do... - Quotes

Once You Grow Past Mommy And Daddy Coming Running When You're Hurt, You're Really On Your Own. You're Alone, And There's No One To Help You.

Octavia Butler Quotes (22) - Once You Grow Past Mommy And Daddy C... - QuotesOnce You Grow Past Mommy And Daddy Coming Running When You're Hurt, You're Really On Your Own. You're Alone, And There's No One To Help You.

Octavia Butler Quotes (22) - Once You Grow Past Mommy And Daddy C... - Quotes

Science Fiction Let Me Do Both. It Let Me Look Into Science And Stick My Nose In Everywhere.

Octavia Butler Quotes (23) - Science Fiction Let Me Do Both. It L... - QuotesScience Fiction Let Me Do Both. It Let Me Look Into Science And Stick My Nose In Everywhere.

Octavia Butler Quotes (23) - Science Fiction Let Me Do Both. It L... - Quotes

I Was Raised Baptist, And I Like The Fact That I Got My Conscience Installed Early.

Octavia Butler Quotes (25) - I Was Raised Baptist, And I Like The... - QuotesI Was Raised Baptist, And I Like The Fact That I Got My Conscience Installed Early.

Octavia Butler Quotes (25) - I Was Raised Baptist, And I Like The... - Quotes

I Began Reading Science Fiction Before I Was 12 And Started Writing Science Fiction Around The Same Time.

Octavia Butler Quotes (24) - I Began Reading Science Fiction Befo... - QuotesI Began Reading Science Fiction Before I Was 12 And Started Writing Science Fiction Around The Same Time.

Octavia Butler Quotes (24) - I Began Reading Science Fiction Befo... - Quotes

People Have The Right To Call Themselves Whatever They Like. That Doesn't Bother Me. It's Other People Doing The Calling That Bothers Me.

Octavia Butler Quotes (27) - People Have The Right To Call Themse... - QuotesPeople Have The Right To Call Themselves Whatever They Like. That Doesn't Bother Me. It's Other People Doing The Calling That Bothers Me.

Octavia Butler Quotes (27) - People Have The Right To Call Themse... - Quotes

No... A Novel Is A Long Business. I'm A Slow Writer, Even When I'm Doing Very Well I Write Slowly.

Octavia Butler Quotes (26) - No... A Novel Is A Long Business. I'... - QuotesNo... A Novel Is A Long Business. I'm A Slow Writer, Even When I'm Doing Very Well I Write Slowly.

Octavia Butler Quotes (26) - No... A Novel Is A Long Business. I'... - Quotes

No One Was Going To Stop Me From Writing And No One Had To Really Guide Me Towards Science Fiction. It Was Natural, Really, That I Would Take That Interest.

Octavia Butler Quotes (28) - No One Was Going To Stop Me From Wri... - QuotesNo One Was Going To Stop Me From Writing And No One Had To Really Guide Me Towards Science Fiction. It Was Natural, Really, That I Would Take That Interest.

Octavia Butler Quotes (28) - No One Was Going To Stop Me From Wri... - Quotes

Most Of Us Don't Have To Worry About Being Shot If We Poke Our Noses Outside. So We Are Comfortable, But The People I'm Writing About Are Definitely Not Comfortable, And Being Shot While They're Still Inside Is A Good Possibility.

Octavia Butler Quotes (3) - Most Of Us Don't Have To Worry About ... - QuotesMost Of Us Don't Have To Worry About Being Shot If We Poke Our Noses Outside. So We Are Comfortable, But The People I'm Writing About Are Definitely Not Comfortable, And Being Shot While They're Still Inside Is A Good Possibility.

Octavia Butler Quotes (3) - Most Of Us Don't Have To Worry About ... - Quotes

So Fantasy Was Fine Early On, And When I Discovered Science Fiction, I Was Very Happy With It, Because My First Interest In Science Fiction Came With An Interest In Astronomy.

Octavia Butler Quotes (29) - So Fantasy Was Fine Early On, And Wh... - QuotesSo Fantasy Was Fine Early On, And When I Discovered Science Fiction, I Was Very Happy With It, Because My First Interest In Science Fiction Came With An Interest In Astronomy.

Octavia Butler Quotes (29) - So Fantasy Was Fine Early On, And Wh... - Quotes

And I Have This Little Litany Of Things They Can Do. And The First One, Of Course, Is To Write - Every Day, No Excuses. It's So Easy To Make Excuses. Even Professional Writers Have Days When They'd Rather Clean The Toilet Than Do The Writing.

Octavia Butler Quotes (30) - And I Have This Little Litany Of Thi... - QuotesAnd I Have This Little Litany Of Things They Can Do. And The First One, Of Course, Is To Write - Every Day, No Excuses. It's So Easy To Make Excuses. Even Professional Writers Have Days When They'd Rather Clean The Toilet Than Do The Writing.

Octavia Butler Quotes (30) - And I Have This Little Litany Of Thi... - Quotes

I Talked To Members Of My Family, And Did Some Personal Research That Didn't Really Have Anything To Do With The Time And Place I Was Writing About, But That Gave Me A Feeling Of The Experience Of Being Black In A Time And Place Where It Was Very Difficult To Be Black.

Octavia Butler Quotes (31) - I Talked To Members Of My Family, An... - QuotesI Talked To Members Of My Family, And Did Some Personal Research That Didn't Really Have Anything To Do With The Time And Place I Was Writing About, But That Gave Me A Feeling Of The Experience Of Being Black In A Time And Place Where It Was Very Difficult To Be Black.

Octavia Butler Quotes (31) - I Talked To Members Of My Family, An... - Quotes

No, I Think The Future Of Humanity Will Be Like The Past, We'll Do What We've Always Done And There Will Still Be Human Beings. Granted, There Will Always Be People Doing Something Different And There Are A Lot Of Possibilities.

Octavia Butler Quotes (32) - No, I Think The Future Of Humanity W... - QuotesNo, I Think The Future Of Humanity Will Be Like The Past, We'll Do What We've Always Done And There Will Still Be Human Beings. Granted, There Will Always Be People Doing Something Different And There Are A Lot Of Possibilities.

Octavia Butler Quotes (32) - No, I Think The Future Of Humanity W... - Quotes

But My Problem With Fantasy, And Horror, And Related Genres, Is That Sometimes The Problems Are Illogical.

Octavia Butler Quotes (33) - But My Problem With Fantasy, And Hor... - QuotesBut My Problem With Fantasy, And Horror, And Related Genres, Is That Sometimes The Problems Are Illogical.

Octavia Butler Quotes (33) - But My Problem With Fantasy, And Hor... - Quotes

I Just Knew There Were Stories I Wanted To Tell.

Octavia Butler Quotes (6) - I Just Knew There Were Stories I Want... - QuotesI Just Knew There Were Stories I Wanted To Tell.

Octavia Butler Quotes (6) - I Just Knew There Were Stories I Want... - Quotes

Third, For People Who Aren't Doing It Already, Take Classes - They're Worthwhile. Workshops Or Classes - A Workshop Is Where You Do Actually Get Feedback On Your Work, Not Just Something Where You Go And Sit For A Day.

Octavia Butler Quotes (5) - Third, For People Who Aren't Doing It... - QuotesThird, For People Who Aren't Doing It Already, Take Classes - They're Worthwhile. Workshops Or Classes - A Workshop Is Where You Do Actually Get Feedback On Your Work, Not Just Something Where You Go And Sit For A Day.

Octavia Butler Quotes (5) - Third, For People Who Aren't Doing It... - Quotes

Religion Kept Some Of My Relatives Alive, Because It Was All They Had. If They Hadn't Had Some Hope Of Heaven, Some Companionship In Jesus, They Probably Would Have Committed Suicide, Their Lives Were So Hellish.

Octavia Butler Quotes (4) - Religion Kept Some Of My Relatives Al... - QuotesReligion Kept Some Of My Relatives Alive, Because It Was All They Had. If They Hadn't Had Some Hope Of Heaven, Some Companionship In Jesus, They Probably Would Have Committed Suicide, Their Lives Were So Hellish.

Octavia Butler Quotes (4) - Religion Kept Some Of My Relatives Al... - Quotes

A Workshop Is A Way Of Renting An Audience, And Making Sure You're Communicating What You Think You're Communicating. It's So Easy As A Young Writer To Think You're Been Very Clear When In Fact You Haven't.

Octavia Butler Quotes (7) - A Workshop Is A Way Of Renting An Aud... - QuotesA Workshop Is A Way Of Renting An Audience, And Making Sure You're Communicating What You Think You're Communicating. It's So Easy As A Young Writer To Think You're Been Very Clear When In Fact You Haven't.

Octavia Butler Quotes (7) - A Workshop Is A Way Of Renting An Aud... - Quotes

I Wasn't Trying To Work Out My Own Ancestry. I Was Trying To Get People To Feel Slavery. I Was Trying To Get Across The Kind Of Emotional And Psychological Stones That Slavery Threw At People.

Octavia Butler Quotes (8) - I Wasn't Trying To Work Out My Own An... - QuotesI Wasn't Trying To Work Out My Own Ancestry. I Was Trying To Get People To Feel Slavery. I Was Trying To Get Across The Kind Of Emotional And Psychological Stones That Slavery Threw At People.

Octavia Butler Quotes (8) - I Wasn't Trying To Work Out My Own An... - Quotes

You Don't Start Out Writing Good Stuff. You Start Out Writing Crap And Thinking It's Good Stuff, And Then Gradually You Get Better At It. That's Why I Say One Of The Most Valuable Traits Is Persistence.

Octavia Butler Quotes (9) - You Don't Start Out Writing Good Stuf... - QuotesYou Don't Start Out Writing Good Stuff. You Start Out Writing Crap And Thinking It's Good Stuff, And Then Gradually You Get Better At It. That's Why I Say One Of The Most Valuable Traits Is Persistence.

Octavia Butler Quotes (9) - You Don't Start Out Writing Good Stuf... - Quotes