I'm always watching people over a short time frame, putting them in an extreme position. Sometimes you don't see the humanity in a person because the time frame is so short and the circumstance so extreme.

Quote by Irvine Welsh

Topics: Irvine Welsh Quotes

It was around the summer of 1982 when the drug problem really impacted. It became...

It was around the summer of 1982 when the drug problem really impacted. It became...

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...

The first job of a writer is to be honest.

The first job of a writer is to be honest.

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

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

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...

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 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...

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 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....

I think young writers should get other degrees first, social sciences, arts degrees or even...

I think young writers should get other degrees first, social sciences, arts degrees or even...

I didn't have any concept of Trainspotting being published. It was a selfish act. I...

I didn't have any concept of Trainspotting being published. It was a selfish act. I...

There is a kind of mysticism to writing.

There is a kind of mysticism to writing.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...