A writer has to live with a sense of honor.

Quote by Irwin Shaw

Topics: Irwin Shaw Quotes

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...

You must avoid giving hostages to fortune, like getting an expensive wife, an expensive house,...

You must avoid giving hostages to fortune, like getting an expensive wife, an expensive house,...

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

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

My favorite short-story writer is John Cheever.

My favorite short-story writer is John Cheever.

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.

My attitudes have changed, but somebody would have to read all my books to find...

My attitudes have changed, but somebody would have to read all my books to find...

Posterity makes the judgments. There are going to be a lot of surprises in store...

Posterity makes the judgments. There are going to be a lot of surprises in store...

Writing is finally play, and there's no reason why you should get paid for playing.

Writing is finally play, and there's no reason why you should get paid for playing.

The writer works in a lonely way.

The writer works in a lonely way.

Every novelist has a different purpose - and often several purposes which might even be...

Every novelist has a different purpose - and often several purposes which might even be...

I never drink while I'm working, but after a few glasses I get ideas that...

I never drink while I'm working, but after a few glasses I get ideas that...

A writer is a human being. He has to live with a sense of honor.

A writer is a human being. He has to live with a sense of honor.

It's those damn critics again.

It's those damn critics again.

There are too many books I haven't read, too many places I haven't seen, too...

There are too many books I haven't read, too many places I haven't seen, too...

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.

I don't think that the writer is regarded as a freak by Americans.

I don't think that the writer is regarded as a freak by Americans.

I imagine that my characters have become much more complicated than when I first began,...

I imagine that my characters have become much more complicated than when I first began,...

At the height of the McCarthy period, writers were being hounded.

At the height of the McCarthy period, writers were being hounded.

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...

A good editor understands what you're talking and writing about and doesn't meddle too much.

A good editor understands what you're talking and writing about and doesn't meddle too much.