Tom Junod Quotes

There was a guy that I got to know pretty well - Joe Grant. He was one of the creators of Dumbo and worked side-by-side with Disney. Being a total Disney nerd, I was obsessed with asking him questions. He was 92 when I got to know him.

I got to know Coach Wooden at the end of his life.

Hopefully, by the time I do a project, I already have a true understanding and love of what I'm about to do because if I don't, I'm not going to work on that project. I really want to have those connections so I can be truthful to the emotional aspect of what I have to deliver for the story.

I'm inspired by day to day life, things that people go through, things that make people tick. Everybody has a story, so you try to put stories into songs and try to make it as entertaining as possible.

My dad told remarkable stories about how kindness helped him through, and he lived his life afterward always trying to make people's lives better.

I had a relationship with John Wooden. I spoke at his memorial service.

I never want to lose sight of my roots... A lot of artists want the riches and the fame. I want to tell stories you can put into the context of your life.

Give me a story which I connect with and then I am going to do it.

My grandfather has a big influence on me; without him, I wouldn't be where I am now.

When you're a writer, you talk about things that move you, that you feel really deep inside you that's something that moves you, and you hope it'll move people, too.

Just growing up on 'Friday Night Lights,' other dramas, that kind of shaped my childhood. The fact that I can have one talking about my life - it's insane.

My dad was an actor, and he made it all seem quite magical. It felt like a slightly subversive thing, telling stories, when all of my other friends' parents were builders or bank clerks. It's always seemed quite magical to me.

For me, it's vital to continue to share my experiences and allow my experiences to help the younger generation.

It's lovely to write for the youngsters because through your story, you can teach them the lessons of life.

The older I get and the more iconic the piece, I believe that it's wise to watch a bit and become inspired and take moments that feel so connected to the story and also connected to me that I feel like I can make a part of my own performance.

You have to give your fans and your children something they can use in life.

I admired Mary's work very much. From the time someone gave me 'The Liars' Club,' I immediately went into a world where I grew up. And I remember, when I finished the book, I actually thought, 'You know what, I need to write songs with her.'

I started writing my first book for young people when I was in college. I was only a couple of years out of my teens when I began; I felt closer to that experience than I did as an adult. But I've always been drawn to stories about young people.

What I really like to do with my music is these concept stories, and I always like to have some life philosophies in the lyrics.

My mother named me for Marty Robbins.

But professionally I've never felt as strongly about a project, with the exception of 'The Bridges of Madison County', as 'The Light in the Piazza'.

The Shawshank Redemption' isn't a movie about a black guy and a white guy who become friends - it's a movie about freedom. At the end, the cathartic experience of seeing our own emotions reflected back to us, that's the purpose of storytelling.

I was blessed enough to talk to my grandfather the night before he passed, and he told me that everything was going to be okay, and I know he wanted me continue and do my best, be happy, and that's what keeps me going.

I like to give kids motivation and tell them my story.

Do not tell people how to live their lives. Just tell them stories and they will figure out how those stories apply to them.