Writing is like prostitution. First you do it for love, and then for a few close friends, and then for read more

Writing is like prostitution. First you do it for love, and then for a few close friends, and then for money.

Good writing gives energy, whatever it is about.

Good writing gives energy, whatever it is about.

Writing a book is an adventure. To begin with, it is a toy and an amusement; then it becomes a read more

Writing a book is an adventure. To begin with, it is a toy and an amusement; then it becomes a mistress, and then it becomes a master, and then a tyrant. The last phase is that just as you are about to be reconciled to your servitude, you kill the monster, and fling him out to the public.

Most of us can read the writing on the wall; we just assume it's addressed to someone else.

Most of us can read the writing on the wall; we just assume it's addressed to someone else.

The important thing in writing is the capacity to astonish. Not shock - shock is a worn-out word - but read more

The important thing in writing is the capacity to astonish. Not shock - shock is a worn-out word - but astonish.

Language achieves soul only when it's applied as a tool, used by those who imbue it with what they have read more

Language achieves soul only when it's applied as a tool, used by those who imbue it with what they have had the courage and honesty to perceive and feel.

You write in your letter something which I sometimes feel also: Sometimes I do not know how I shall pull read more

You write in your letter something which I sometimes feel also: Sometimes I do not know how I shall pull through.

Writing is not a profession but a vocation of unhappiness

Writing is not a profession but a vocation of unhappiness

The difficulty of literature is not to write, but to write what you mean

The difficulty of literature is not to write, but to write what you mean