Octavia Butler quotes

Octavia Butler was an influential American science fiction writer, renowned for her explorations of race, gender, and power in speculative worlds. Her groundbreaking novels, such as "Kindred" and the "Patternist" series, have left a lasting impact on the genre. She inspired generations of readers and writers with her visionary storytelling and thought-provoking themes. Here are 163 of her quotes:

I just knew there were stories I wanted to tell.

Octavia Butler

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

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

I got up to leave. There was nothing more to be said. He had asked for what he knew I could not give, and I had refused.

Octavia Butler

Sometimes, one must become a master to avoid becoming a slave.

Octavia Butler

Helpless lust and unreasoning anxiety were just part of growing up.

Octavia Butler

A tree cannot grow in its parents' shadows.

Octavia Butler

Freedom is dangerous, Cory, but it's precious, too. You can't just throw it away or let it slip away. You can't sell it for bread and pottage.

Octavia Butler

Life is getting better, but that won't stop a war if politicians and business people decide it's to their advantage to have one.

Octavia Butler

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

The destiny of Earthseed is to take root among the stars.

Octavia Butler

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

First forget inspiration. Habit is more dependable. Habit will sustain you whether you're inspired or not. Habit will help you finish and polish your stories. Inspiration won't. Habit is persistence in practice.

Octavia Butler

Drowning people Sometimes die Fighting their rescuers.

Octavia Butler

We are born not with purpose, but with potential.

Octavia Butler

Margaret Weylin complained because she couldn't find anything to complain about.

Octavia Butler

To get along with God, Consider the consequences of your behavior. Earthseed: The Books of the Living.

Octavia Butler

You're truly free for the first time. What could be more difficult than that?

Octavia Butler

The thing about science fiction is that it's totally wide open. But it's wide open in a conditional way.

Octavia Butler

Most of us don't have to worry about being shot of 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

All that you touch You Change. All that you Change Changes you. The only lasting truth Is Change. God Is Change.

Octavia Butler

Choose your leaders with wisdom and forethought. To be led by a coward is to be controlled by all that the coward fears. To be led by a fool is to be led by the opportunists who control the fool. To be led by a thief is to offer up your most precious treasures to be stolen. To be led by a liar is to ask to be lied to. To be led by a tyrant is to sell yourself and those you love into slavery.

Octavia Butler