I'm a novelist who read a lot as a kid. When you grow up on books and then grow up to write books, famous authors are a lot more meaningful to you than TV and movie stars.

In this quote, Claire Scovell LaZebnik reflects on her personal journey as a novelist and lifelong reader, emphasizing how her early connection to books shaped her values and heroes. By saying, "When you grow up on books and then grow up to write books," she draws a direct line between her childhood influences and her professional identity. Her words suggest that literature wasn’t just entertainment for her—it was a formative force that deeply influenced her worldview and aspirations.

LaZebnik contrasts her admiration for famous authors with the broader cultural fascination with TV and movie stars. To someone immersed in the world of reading and writing, literary figures hold a deeper, more personal significance than those in visual media. When she says, "famous authors are a lot more meaningful," she’s acknowledging how her heroes are rooted in intellectual and creative achievement, rather than in celebrity or glamour.

This quote reveals a certain literary reverence—a recognition of the power of authors to shape thought, emotion, and imagination through the written word. It also subtly critiques a society that often places more value on media fame than on artistic contribution through writing. For LaZebnik, the impact of an author lies not in their public persona, but in the quiet, lasting influence of their words on readers' lives.

The origin of this quote likely stems from an interview or autobiographical reflection in which LaZebnik discussed her background and influences as a writer. Known for her insightful and often humorous takes on family life, autism, and culture, this quote offers a window into the inner life of a writer who values depth, storytelling, and the quiet prestige of literary accomplishment over mainstream fame.