You must avoid giving hostages to fortune, like getting an expensive wife, an expensive house, and a style of living that never lets you aford the time to take the chance to write what you wish.

Quote by Irwin Shaw

Topics: Irwin Shaw Quotes

I've gone on the wagon, but my body doesn't believe it.

I've gone on the wagon, but my body doesn't believe it.

I cringe when critics say I'm a master of the popular novel. What's an unpopular...

I cringe when critics say I'm a master of the popular novel. What's an unpopular...

In a novel, it's hard to keep track of everybody.

In a novel, it's hard to keep track of everybody.

The last paragraph, in which you tell what the story is about, is almost always...

The last paragraph, in which you tell what the story is about, is almost always...

I haven't stuck to any formula. Most great writers stick to the same style, but...

I haven't stuck to any formula. Most great writers stick to the same style, but...

I am forced to say that I have many fiercer critics than myself.

I am forced to say that I have many fiercer critics than myself.

When I started out in the early 1930s, there were a great many magazines that...

When I started out in the early 1930s, there were a great many magazines that...

If you're young enough, any kind of writing you do for a short period of...

If you're young enough, any kind of writing you do for a short period of...

It's those damn critics again.

It's those damn critics again.

Curiously, the United States is full of writers who have one big work in their...

Curiously, the United States is full of writers who have one big work in their...

Writing for the theater, you find yourself living a nocturnal life.

Writing for the theater, you find yourself living a nocturnal life.

My views naturally have mellowed. Most of the critics have been more or less nice...

My views naturally have mellowed. Most of the critics have been more or less nice...

I never show anything to anybody until I've finished it.

I never show anything to anybody until I've finished it.

The romantic idea is that everybody around a writer must suffer for his talent. I...

The romantic idea is that everybody around a writer must suffer for his talent. I...

Writing is like a contact sport, like football. You can get hurt, but you enjoy...

Writing is like a contact sport, like football. You can get hurt, but you enjoy...

In Europe, a writer is supposed to improve up until he's about 75.

In Europe, a writer is supposed to improve up until he's about 75.

The writer works in a lonely way.

The writer works in a lonely way.

My favorite short-story writer is John Cheever.

My favorite short-story writer is John Cheever.

Ernest Hemingway did a great deal toward making the writer an acceptable public figure; obviously,...

Ernest Hemingway did a great deal toward making the writer an acceptable public figure; obviously,...

Special-interest magazines are dangerous places for writers to start out in because the writing quickly...

Special-interest magazines are dangerous places for writers to start out in because the writing quickly...