There are too many books I haven't read, too many places I haven't seen, too many memories I haven't kept long enough.

Quote by Irwin Shaw

Topics: Books Quotes

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

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

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 reach my readers regardless of what the critics have written.

I reach my readers regardless of what the critics have written.

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...

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...

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...

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...

The great writers just kept bringing them out. They didn't care if they repeated themselves.

The great writers just kept bringing them out. They didn't care if they repeated themselves.

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.

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

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

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.

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...

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...

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

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

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...

The writer works in a lonely way.

The writer works in a lonely way.

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,...

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...

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.