James Dashner Quotes

Tell your own story, and you will be interesting.

I say to my pupils, 'You can pitch me any thing you've got, but tell me why you're the only person who can write it in the world. Keep digging.'

Covers are always so fun to do, but there's nothing like telling your own story.

I like to tell my own story using my personality and my insight, the way I see things.

You can only write your own vision.

It's not knowing how to write that makes you interesting, it's what you write.

The good parts are the people who don't make do. They're the interesting people. Lear doesn't make do.

Remember that what you have is unique because it's your own special way of looking at the world.

Don't try to write to the trend of the moment.

It is rare that even a jazz musician finds an individual voice.

I'm not trying to stay in the same place and I'm not trying to compete with what's currently in fashion. That would be dishonest. But, at the same time, I'm different and the music reflects that to some degree.

I have my own voice and can focus only on that. I know what I like; I find my inspirations in so many other places than just online and bring that into my work.

Never apologise for not being someone else. You're bound to find something you're good at, even if it's only writing stories.

I don't mind being unlikely. I'd rather that than be predictable.

You can't really copy what I do because I don't do anything.

When you look like you stepped out of a catalog, that's never good. People shouldn't succumb to trend, they should interpret trend.

Don't try to write what other people are writing - write what is true to you.

Work out of your work. Don't work out of anybody else's work.

When I teach writing, I have a mantra: 'Be a first-rate version of yourself, and not a second-rate version of another writer.'

I don't want to be boring. But that's not always easy.

I love to write. I used to be a math teacher. And I like the idea that other people could write about the same subjects, but no one would write it just the way I do. It's very individual: a child could write the same story as somebody else, but it wouldn't come out the same.

I learned early in my writing career that if I try to tailor a song for someone else, I'm usually off base. They're usually looking for something from you with your character.

If the little bit you have is nothing special in itself, at least find a way of saying it that is a little bit special.

I'm a guy that appreciates spontaneity and a woman being genuine and different.

There are so many funny people and so many talented people, but the one thing nobody else has is my take on the world. So, when I'm developing my show, that's going to be the focus.