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 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...

The first job of a writer is to be honest.

The first job of a writer is to be honest.

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...

Basically, particularly in Britain, it's a hegemonic thing that people who write tend to come...

Basically, particularly in Britain, it's a hegemonic thing that people who write tend to come...

When I started off with Trainspotting, it was the way the characters came to me....

When I started off with Trainspotting, it was the way the characters came to me....

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...

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 enjoy the freedom of the blank page.

I enjoy the freedom of the blank page.

There is a kind of mysticism to writing.

There is a kind of mysticism to writing.

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...

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...

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 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...

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....

When I first started to get into writing, it was via music. I'd generate ideas...

When I first started to get into writing, it was via music. I'd generate ideas...

What worries me is the professionalism of everything.

What worries me is the professionalism of everything.

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

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

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 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...