It's often been said that I'm an extremely depressing, cynical writer. I've never known what to make of that.

Quote by Ann Beattie

Topics: Ann Beattie Quotes

You have to figure out who the right person is to tell the story. And...

You have to figure out who the right person is to tell the story. And...

I feel that these stories are being written to articulate certain confusions and disappointments, and...

I feel that these stories are being written to articulate certain confusions and disappointments, and...

I think that I'm serious, but I don't think that I'm inordinately bleak.

I think that I'm serious, but I don't think that I'm inordinately bleak.

Nobody can assume that, to a writer, everything is off-limits.

Nobody can assume that, to a writer, everything is off-limits.

I've been in this business for a long time, and I no longer think that...

I've been in this business for a long time, and I no longer think that...

When I lived in New York, not only did I have safety locks on the...

When I lived in New York, not only did I have safety locks on the...

Women are obviously much more discriminated against than men in many ways.

Women are obviously much more discriminated against than men in many ways.

It seems to me that the problem with diaries, and the reason that most of...

It seems to me that the problem with diaries, and the reason that most of...

I've spent my life supporting myself.

I've spent my life supporting myself.

I must say also that it's never worked to my disadvantage that I have long,...

I must say also that it's never worked to my disadvantage that I have long,...

I don't even correct people when they mispronounce my name now.

I don't even correct people when they mispronounce my name now.

I don't write about things that I have the answers to or things that are...

I don't write about things that I have the answers to or things that are...

While I would agree that I write about serious subjects, and that they're not necessarily...

While I would agree that I write about serious subjects, and that they're not necessarily...

There is some reason, obviously, that you are drawn to your material, but the way...

There is some reason, obviously, that you are drawn to your material, but the way...

I think almost always that what gets me going with a story is the atmosphere,...

I think almost always that what gets me going with a story is the atmosphere,...

Falling in Place was meant to be very much rooted in a place and time,...

Falling in Place was meant to be very much rooted in a place and time,...

It's interesting, though, that in daily life, I think of myself as being relatively unobservant.

It's interesting, though, that in daily life, I think of myself as being relatively unobservant.

I could name a few songs and say exactly what summer they came out and...

I could name a few songs and say exactly what summer they came out and...

Much of what happens in Love Always is really from overheard conversations in the Russian...

Much of what happens in Love Always is really from overheard conversations in the Russian...

It's gratifying that it does; I love to give readings.

It's gratifying that it does; I love to give readings.