Lonesome animals

“A writer out of loneliness is trying to communicate like a distant star sending signals. He isn’t telling or teaching or ordering. Rather he seeks to establish a relationship of meaning, of feeling, of observing. We are lonesome animals. We spend all life trying to be less lonesome. One of our ancient methods is to tell a story begging the listener to say — and to feel — ‘Yes, that’s the way it is, or at least that’s the way I feel it. You’re not as alone as you thought.’”

—John Steinbeck, letter to Peter Benchley, 1956

Chasing the past

Chasing the past, I stumbled into the future.

Terri Guillemets

P.S.  Thanks to Rebecca for letting me know that this quote was used in the television show Being Erica. In the episode “Plenty of Fish,” Dr. Tom says: “Chasing the past, she stumbled into the future.” Apparently, his character is known for quoting frequently. —tg, 2009