Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader - not the fact that it is raining, but the feeling of being rained upon.

Quote by E L Doctorow

Topics: E L Doctorow Quotes

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.

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...

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.

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,...

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.

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

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

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...

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 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...

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

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

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...

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...