It's different in Scotland. People who come to readings are more interested in literature as such, but the readership in general is really quite diverse. It's a cliche, but it's said that people who read my books don't read any…

Quote by Irvine Welsh

Topics: Irvine Welsh Quotes

I enjoy the freedom of the blank page.

I enjoy the freedom of the blank page.

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...

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...

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...

The first job of a writer is to be honest.

The first job of a writer is to be honest.

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...

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...

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 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 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 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...

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....

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'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....

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

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

What worries me is the professionalism of everything.

What worries me is the professionalism of everything.

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...

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...

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...

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...