How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"No, Gio. Don't try to make it funny. Write the truth of it. It might turn out to be funny or it might not. Don't worry about that part. Just write it the way you're feeling it." (5.59)
The whole time John's trying to manipulate his writing to be one way or another, he's forgetting about the truth. His writing—and he, himself—is at its best when it's honest and doesn't pretend to be something it's not.
Quote #8
"Yeah, I liked it, but the part that makes the rest of it work, for me, anyway, is the line about not wanting anything else to change. It just rings true. And because the rest of the piece is so guarded, it feels like it just slipped out, which makes it seem even more true." (6.49)
Right away, Marisol zeroes in on the truth and repeats it. She's not interested in what John wants people to take away from the story; she's only spending time on what she believes the truth is. And guess what? She's right—John doesn't want his home life to change.
Quote #9
"It was honest, Marisol. I told them the truth for the first time. Isn't that what I was supposed to do?"
"There are different ways to tell the truth, Gio. If you care about people…" (14.46-47)
Here's the thing: John might be telling the truth, but does that make it okay to hurt someone? He knows how the letter will destroy his mom or tick off his dad, but he delivers them anyway. There's a difference between truth and cruelty.