Jeannette Walls
Jeannette Walls
Jeannette Wallsis an American writer and journalist widely known as former gossip columnist for MSNBC.com — and author of The Glass Castle, a memoir of the nomadic family life of her childhood, which stayed on the New York Times Best Seller list for 100 weeks...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionMemoirist
Date of Birth21 April 1960
CityPhoenix, AZ
CountryUnited States of America
serious journalist wanted
I always wanted to be a serious journalist.
stronger realizing
We're stronger than we realize.
spiritual book important
I find books that have a moral and spiritual center, that speak to what is really important and lasting, hugely appealing.
morning writing desks
I sit down at my desk pretty early in the morning and write all day until about 4 or 5 p.m.
writing perspective choices
The best time to tell your story is when you have to tell your story. When it's not really a choice. But then, when you get that first, messy, complicated version down, you have to read it over and be very tough on yourself and ask, 'Well what's the story here?' If you're lucky enough to have someone you trust looking over your shoulder, he or she can help you if [you] lack perspective on your own story.
confidence real self
I never had any question that my parents loved me. I had a real sense of self confidence.
luck bigs believer
I'm a big believer in luck - the harder you work, the luckier you become.
writing voice challenges
One of the most challenging aspects of writing a memoir is finding your own voice, and you should be very careful about being influenced by someone else's voice.
advice way figures
My advice to anyone is to figure out what you're good at - what it is that you love doing the most in life - and figure out a way to make a living from it.
views people world
I found out that people are incredibly compassionate and kind. It really changed my view of the world.
holiday black world
I listen to music mostly in the evening. I've come to love what is called world music, like the Zimbabwean Oliver Mtukudzi and the Colombian singer Marta Gomez. I also love the Irish folk singer Mary Black. Other favorites include Chet Baker, Eva Cassidy, and Billie Holiday.
dream artist manhattan
My older sister achieved her dream of being an artist. She's an illustrator living in Manhattan.
sorry people admiration
She never felt sorry for herself, and that was something I decided I admired most in people.
mom children people
Mom always said people worried too much about their children. Suffering when you are young is good for you, she said. It immunized your body and your soul.