I think young writers should get other degrees first, social sciences, arts degrees or even business degrees. What you learn is research skills, a necessity because a lot of writing is about trying to find information.

Quote by Irvine Welsh

Topics: Irvine Welsh Quotes

I enjoy the freedom of the blank page.

I enjoy the freedom of the blank page.

I spend so much time on the screen when I am writing, the last thing...

I spend so much time on the screen when I am writing, the last thing...

It's different in Scotland. People who come to readings are more interested in literature as...

It's different in Scotland. People who come to readings are more interested in literature as...

Every kind of book I've written has been written in a different way. There has...

Every kind of book I've written has been written in a different way. There has...

I'd always liked to read, but when I picked up books I wasn't getting the...

I'd always liked to read, but when I picked up books I wasn't getting the...

Sometimes there's a snobbery among literary types that these people don't really get it, but...

Sometimes there's a snobbery among literary types that these people don't really get it, but...

Id always done a lot of (sniffing) glue as a kid. I was very interested...

Id always done a lot of (sniffing) glue as a kid. I was very interested...

I feel like I've exhausted guys and male friendships.

I feel like I've exhausted guys and male friendships.

There's all this stuff that is happening in Edinburgh now, it's a sad attempt to...

There's all this stuff that is happening in Edinburgh now, it's a sad attempt to...

What worries me is the professionalism of everything.

What worries me is the professionalism of everything.

Writing is about culture and should be about everything. That's what makes it what it...

Writing is about culture and should be about everything. That's what makes it what it...

When people start writing there is this idea that you have to get everything right...

When people start writing there is this idea that you have to get everything right...

There is a kind of mysticism to writing.

There is a kind of mysticism to writing.

I tend to read more nonfiction, really, because when I'm writing I don't like to...

I tend to read more nonfiction, really, because when I'm writing I don't like to...

I'm working on a screenplay right now for the BBC, but I hope to have...

I'm working on a screenplay right now for the BBC, but I hope to have...

When I'm not writing, I read loads of fiction, but I've been writing quite constantly...

When I'm not writing, I read loads of fiction, but I've been writing quite constantly...

I grew up in a place where everybody was a storyteller, but nobody wrote. It...

I grew up in a place where everybody was a storyteller, but nobody wrote. It...

I'm always watching people over a short time frame, putting them in an extreme position....

I'm always watching people over a short time frame, putting them in an extreme position....

The establishment, the newspapers, they try to create something called Scottish literature, but when people...

The establishment, the newspapers, they try to create something called Scottish literature, but when people...

I wanted to capture the excitement of house music, almost like a four-four beat, and...

I wanted to capture the excitement of house music, almost like a four-four beat, and...