In Europe, a writer is supposed to improve up until he's about 75.

Quote by Irwin Shaw

Topics: Irwin Shaw Quotes

You have to expect the raps when you have achieved popularity as a writer.

You have to expect the raps when you have achieved popularity as a writer.

Ernest Hemingway did a great deal toward making the writer an acceptable public figure; obviously,...

Ernest Hemingway did a great deal toward making the writer an acceptable public figure; obviously,...

I never show anything to anybody until I've finished it.

I never show anything to anybody until I've finished it.

People who light up like Roman candles come down in the dark very quickly.

People who light up like Roman candles come down in the dark very quickly.

The writer works in a lonely way.

The writer works in a lonely way.

Writing is like a contact sport, like football. You can get hurt, but you enjoy...

Writing is like a contact sport, like football. You can get hurt, but you enjoy...

Curiously, the United States is full of writers who have one big work in their...

Curiously, the United States is full of writers who have one big work in their...

My favorite short-story writer is John Cheever.

My favorite short-story writer is John Cheever.

A good editor understands what you're talking and writing about and doesn't meddle too much.

A good editor understands what you're talking and writing about and doesn't meddle too much.

An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the...

An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the...

I am forced to say that I have many fiercer critics than myself.

I am forced to say that I have many fiercer critics than myself.

All writers are the same - they forget a thousand good reviews and remember one...

All writers are the same - they forget a thousand good reviews and remember one...

It's those damn critics again.

It's those damn critics again.

Every novelist has a different purpose - and often several purposes which might even be...

Every novelist has a different purpose - and often several purposes which might even be...

I never drink while I'm working, but after a few glasses I get ideas that...

I never drink while I'm working, but after a few glasses I get ideas that...

My views naturally have mellowed. Most of the critics have been more or less nice...

My views naturally have mellowed. Most of the critics have been more or less nice...

I cringe when critics say I'm a master of the popular novel. What's an unpopular...

I cringe when critics say I'm a master of the popular novel. What's an unpopular...

I'm not as hopeful as I was when I was young.

I'm not as hopeful as I was when I was young.

The romantic idea is that everybody around a writer must suffer for his talent. I...

The romantic idea is that everybody around a writer must suffer for his talent. I...

I imagine that my characters have become much more complicated than when I first began,...

I imagine that my characters have become much more complicated than when I first began,...