Garth Nix: Doing

Garth Nix is Australian fantasy writer. Explore interesting quotes on doing.
Garth Nix: 176   quotes 1   like

“I don't believe authors need to keep any specific values or ideas in mind while they are writing for children, but I do think authors need to be aware of their audience, and of the effect their work may have.”

Garth Nix

As quoted in "A conversation with Garth Nix" by Claire E. White at Writers Write (July-August 2000) http://www.writerswrite.com/journal/jul00/nix.htm
Context: I don't believe authors need to keep any specific values or ideas in mind while they are writing for children, but I do think authors need to be aware of their audience, and of the effect their work may have. So if they want to address particularly sensitive topics or taboos, they have to do so consciously and carefully. This is very different to toeing a particular moral line or leaving things out.
Certainly I don't think good always has to triumph over evil; it depends on the story and the aims of the book. For example, I could envisage telling a story where the inaction of people leads to the triumph of evil. But I would include the hope that this would lead to the people involved doing better next time. Is that story then really about the triumph of evil, or is it about the awakening of opposition to evil?

Children , Idea , Thinking

“Often, I get the feeling that the story is really happening somewhere and all I'm doing is trying to work out the best way to tell it.”

Garth Nix
Way , Feeling

“When the Dead do walk, seek water’s run,
For this the Dead will always shun.
Swift river’s best or broadest lake
To ward the Dead and haven make.
If water fails thee, fire’s thy friend;
If neither guards, it will be thy end.”

Garth Nix book Abhorsen

Source: Old Kingdom series (The Abhorsen Trilogy), Lirael: Daughter of the Clayr (2001), pp. 359-360.

Water , Dead

“Do not tarry, do not stop, no matter what happens.”

Garth Nix book Abhorsen

Source: Sabriel

“Hear, hear," said the Dog, raising her head. "It's always better to be doing, Prince. Besides, you don't smell like a coward, so you can't be one.”

Garth Nix book Abhorsen

Source: Lirael

Dogs

“So I'll do that, and I'll do my best and if my best isn't good enough, at least I will have done everything I could, everything that is in me. I don't have to try to be someone else, someone I could never be.”

Garth Nix book Abhorsen

Source: Abhorsen

“For everyone and everything, there is a time to die. Some do not know it, or would delay it, but its truth cannot be denied. Not when you look into the stars of the Ninth Gate.”

Garth Nix book Abhorsen

Source: Old Kingdom series (The Abhorsen Trilogy), Abhorsen (2003), p. 343.

Truth , Star , Time

“There is never one absolutely right thing to do. All you can do is honor what you believe, accept the consequences of your own actions, and make the best out of what happens.”

Garth Nix book Superior Saturday

Source: Superior Saturday

“It's always better to be doing.”

Garth Nix book Abhorsen

Source: Lirael

“I have never known what to tell anybody. Except that it is better to do something than nothing, even if the cost is great.”

Garth Nix book Abhorsen

Source: Abhorsen

“"Summon him forth," instructed the Will. "Let justice be meted out. There is much to do, you know, Arthur."
"You'd think we could 'ave a cup of tea and biscuit first," muttered Suzy.”

Garth Nix

Source: The Keys to the Kingdom series, Mister Monday (2003), p. 392.

Justice , Thinking , Tea

“"No!" shouted Arthur. "What's wrong with you? They're people! You can't just kill hundreds or thousands of Piper's children because the Piper might… just might… make some of them do something!"
"Can't we?" asked Dame Primus. She sounded genuinely puzzled.”

Garth Nix

Source: The Keys to the Kingdom series, Lady Friday (2007), p. 46.

Children , People

“"What do we do if we don't go through a hole?" asked Suzy.
"I think we get smashed to bits," said Arthur. "But like Longtayle said, it's mostly holes. And the current must aim for the holes, or get directed through them. We'll be all right."
"What happens if we don't get smashed completely to bits, but just a bit smashed to bits?" asked Suzy after a while. "I mean, so we're still alive but drowning?"
"Suzy, please don't ask me these questions right now," said Arthur, with as much restraint as he could manage.”

Garth Nix

Source: The Keys to the Kingdom series, Drowned Wednesday (2005), p. 276.

Question , Thinking

“Lieutenant Crosshaw says you are a special case!" bellowed Helve. "I do not like special cases! Special cases do not make good soldiers! Special cases do not help other recruits become good soldiers! Therefore, you will not be a special case! You understand me!”

Garth Nix

"I think so-"
"Shut up! That was not a question!"
Source: The Keys to the Kingdom series, Sir Thursday (2006), p. 124.

Understanding , Question , Thinking , Help

“I’ll sing you a song of the long ago -
Seven shine the shiners, oh!
What did the Seven do way back when?
Why, they wove the Charter then!
Five for the warp, from beginning to end.
Two for the woof, to make and mend.
That’s the Seven, but what of the Nine-
What of the two who chose not to shine?
The Eighth did hide, hide all away,
But the Seven caught him and made him pay.
The Ninth was strong and fought with might,
But lone Orannis was put out of the light,
Broken in two and buried under hill,
Forever to lie there, wishing us ill.”

Garth Nix

Source: Old Kingdom series (The Abhorsen Trilogy), Lirael: Daughter of the Clayr (2001), pp. 525-526.

Lie , Way , Light , Strong

“I don't… I don't care," he said softly to his reflection. "I have a job to do. It doesn't matter what I have become. It doesn't matter what I look like.”

Garth Nix

Source: The Keys to the Kingdom series, Lord Sunday (2010), p. 45.

“Teachers are very undervalued for what they do.”

Garth Nix

Interview at KidsReads (2003)

Teachers

“Do you promise you won't hurt me?" asked Arthur.
"You will be safe from all harm for the space of a quarter hour, as measured by this clock," replied the Old One. "You are mortal enough that I would not slay you like a wandering cockroach, or a Denizen of the House.”

Garth Nix

"Thanks," said Arthur. "I think."
Source: The Keys to the Kingdom series, Superior Saturday (2008), p. 67.

Thinking , Hurt , Housing

“"You're really, truly not going to kill everyone?" asked Marek.
"No!" shouted Arthur. "Why do you keep asking? Do I look like some kind of crazy murderer?"
"No…" Marek sounded as if he did still think that but didn't want to upset Arthur.”

Garth Nix

Source: The Keys to the Kingdom series, Lady Friday (2007), p. 91.

Thinking