In the theater, characters have to cut the umbilical cord from the writer and talk in their own voices.

Quote by Irwin Shaw

Topics: Irwin Shaw Quotes

You must avoid giving hostages to fortune, like getting an expensive wife, an expensive house,...

You must avoid giving hostages to fortune, like getting an expensive wife, an expensive house,...

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.

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

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

A writer is a human being. He has to live with a sense of honor.

A writer is a human being. He has to live with a sense of honor.

I don't think that the writer is regarded as a freak by Americans.

I don't think that the writer is regarded as a freak by Americans.

My attitudes have changed, but somebody would have to read all my books to find...

My attitudes have changed, but somebody would have to read all my books to find...

In America, we have the feeling of the doomed young artist. Fitzgerald was the great...

In America, we have the feeling of the doomed young artist. Fitzgerald was the great...

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,...

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

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

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...

The writer works in a lonely way.

The writer works in a lonely way.

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...

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

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

No writer need feel sorry for himself if he writes and enjoys it, even if...

No writer need feel sorry for himself if he writes and enjoys it, even if...

I reach my readers regardless of what the critics have written.

I reach my readers regardless of what the critics have written.

There are too many books I haven't read, too many places I haven't seen, too...

There are too many books I haven't read, too many places I haven't seen, too...

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...

In a novel, it's hard to keep track of everybody.

In a novel, it's hard to keep track of everybody.

A writer has to live with a sense of honor.

A writer has to live with a sense of honor.