The writer isn't made in a vacuum. Writers are witnesses. The reason we need writers is because we need witnesses to this terrifying century.

Quote by E L Doctorow

Topics: Writers Quotes

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

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

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...

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...

Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia.

Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia.

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,...

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 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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

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

Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia.

Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia.

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.

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...

Like all writers, he measured the achievements of others by what they had accomplished, asking...

Like all writers, he measured the achievements of others by what they had accomplished, asking...

What no wife of a writer understands is that a writer is working when he's...

What no wife of a writer understands is that a writer is working when he's...

Some American writers who have known each other for years have never met in the...

Some American writers who have known each other for years have never met in the...