I have my own sheep and I literally sheer the sheep and knot sweaters for friends and family from scratch.
“I have my own sheep and I literally sheer the sheep … Read More
I know I have to write about the things that keep me awake at night.
“I know I have to write about the things that keep … Read More
The longer you live, the more likely you are to have something to say.
“The longer you live, the more likely you are to have … Read More
Root out all the “to be” verbs in your prose and bludgeon them until dead. No “It was” or “they are” or “I am.” Don’t let it be, make it happen.
“Root out all the “to be” verbs in your prose and … Read More
I write every moment that is humanly possible. I write every day and every night. The only discipline I lack is the discipline is to quit.
“I write every moment that is humanly possible. I write every … Read More
Quit smoking in the hope of growing old. It takes a long time to write. People go to books for wisdom and older authors tend to have more of it.
“Quit smoking in the hope of growing old. It takes a … Read More
Pay attention to your passions. They are the key to starting and finishing the book you are meant to write. I don’t believe in talent. I believe in passion.
“Pay attention to your passions. They are the key to starting … Read More
When you pick up a novel from the bed side table, you put down your own life at the same time and you become another person for the duration.
“When you pick up a novel from the bed side table, … Read More
Before that I was a scientist. I did research in population biology. And that’s what I always go back to, it helps me to remember that people are not the end of the world, although we may be when it comes to it. We’re just one species among millions in this world.
“Before that I was a scientist. I did research in population … Read More
It’s very important to distinguish between innocence and naivete. The innocent do not deserve to be the victims of violence. But only the naive refuse to think about the origins of violence and to pursue the possibility that the genesis of that hatred could be addressed.
“It’s very important to distinguish between innocence and naivete. The innocent … Read More
If you’re writing, you’re a writer. If you’re talking about it or thinking about it, I’m not so sure. Writing is ninety-eight percent work and two percent magic.
“If you’re writing, you’re a writer. If you’re talking about it … Read More
In fact, one of the things that I really love about literary fiction is that it’s one of the few kinds of writing that doesn’t tell us what to think or what to buy or what to wear. We’re surrounded by advertising.
“In fact, one of the things that I really love about … Read More
I believe with all my heart in delivering on my contract with my readers. They’ve got plenty of other things to do, so I had better give them a reason to turn every one of these 550 pages. This is my promise: I solemnly swear I’ll make you laugh out loud at least once, cry a little in private, and burn whatever you left on the stove.
“I believe with all my heart in delivering on my contract … Read More
I didn’t study writing in school, I studied biology as an undergraduate and graduate student. So I think that I write fiction in the scientific way. I love invention, obviously; I love creation of character. But I do feel very rooted in the real world, even in the way that I create characters.
“I didn’t study writing in school, I studied biology as an … Read More
Our childhood had passed over into history overnight. The transition was unnoticed by anyone but ourselves.
“Our childhood had passed over into history overnight. The transition was … Read More
Something in me was always watching life from the outside, permanently obsessed with the notion of belonging vs. not-belonging [to a group]. It did not make for a happy childhood, but it was excellent training for a writer.
“Something in me was always watching life from the outside, permanently … Read More
Plot comes first. The plot is the archictecture of your novel. You wouldn’t build a house without a plan. If I wrote without a plot, it would just be a pile of bricks. Characters are your servants. They must serve your plot.
“Plot comes first. The plot is the archictecture of your novel. … Read More
There is something in us that loves certain disasters and the fever of this moment and surrendering to that.
“There is something in us that loves certain disasters and the … Read More
My way of finding a place in this world is to write one.
“My way of finding a place in this world is to … Read More
Nothing to do with nature, unless you count human nature.
“Nothing to do with nature, unless you count human nature.” … Read More