Writers are not just people who sit down and write. They hazard themselves. Every time you compose a book your composition of yourself is at stake.

Quote by E L Doctorow

Topics: E L Doctorow Quotes

Like art and politics, gangsterism is a very important avenue of assimilation into society.

Like art and politics, gangsterism is a very important avenue of assimilation into society.

We're always attracted to the edges of what we are, out by the edges where...

We're always attracted to the edges of what we are, out by the edges where...

Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader - not the fact that...

Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader - not the fact that...

The writer isn't made in a vacuum. Writers are witnesses. The reason we need writers...

The writer isn't made in a vacuum. Writers are witnesses. The reason we need writers...

History is the present. That's why every generation writes it anew. But what most people...

History is the present. That's why every generation writes it anew. But what most people...

Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia.

Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia.

There is no longer any such thing as fiction or nonfiction; there's only narrative.

There is no longer any such thing as fiction or nonfiction; there's only narrative.

I can walk into a bookstore and hand over my credit card and they don't...

I can walk into a bookstore and hand over my credit card and they don't...

Writing is like driving at night in the fog. You can only see as far...

Writing is like driving at night in the fog. You can only see as far...

Writers are not just people who sit down and write. They hazard themselves. Every time...

Writers are not just people who sit down and write. They hazard themselves. Every time...

Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia.

Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia.

I thought I would lose, so I didn't prepare a speech.

I thought I would lose, so I didn't prepare a speech.

It's like driving a car at night. You never see further than your headlights, but...

It's like driving a car at night. You never see further than your headlights, but...

I try to avoid experience if I can. Most experience is bad.

I try to avoid experience if I can. Most experience is bad.

In the twentieth century one of the most personal relationships to have developed is that...

In the twentieth century one of the most personal relationships to have developed is that...

Planning to write is not writing. Outlining, researching, talking to people about what you're doing,...

Planning to write is not writing. Outlining, researching, talking to people about what you're doing,...

Planning to write is not writing. Outlining, researching, talking to people about what you're doing,...

Planning to write is not writing. Outlining, researching, talking to people about what you're doing,...

Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go.

Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go.