The secret to being a writer is that you have to write. It's not enough to think about writing or to study literature or plan a future life as an author. You really have to lock yourself away, alone, and…

Quote by Augusten Burroughs

Topics: Augusten Burroughs Quotes

I'm always prepared for the worst. I was prepared to have the book come out,...

I'm always prepared for the worst. I was prepared to have the book come out,...

I can't tell you how much I love Target and Costco, that kind of culture,...

I can't tell you how much I love Target and Costco, that kind of culture,...

I've just finished my next collection, Possible Side Effects, and I'm now working on a...

I've just finished my next collection, Possible Side Effects, and I'm now working on a...

Before I'm a writer, I'm definitely a reader and when I read memoir, I really...

Before I'm a writer, I'm definitely a reader and when I read memoir, I really...

Once I decided to write, to be published, I knew it would happen.

Once I decided to write, to be published, I knew it would happen.

As a writer, you can't allow yourself the luxury of being discouraged and giving up...

As a writer, you can't allow yourself the luxury of being discouraged and giving up...

But I can also write in crappy motel rooms, while standing in line, or sitting...

But I can also write in crappy motel rooms, while standing in line, or sitting...

I was in advertising for years. That was cushy, you know? It's pretty cushy in...

I was in advertising for years. That was cushy, you know? It's pretty cushy in...

And I tend to listen to NPR when I'm not writing.

And I tend to listen to NPR when I'm not writing.

My only ritual is to just sit down and write, write every day.

My only ritual is to just sit down and write, write every day.

As a child, I was never drawn toward depraved or extreme situations; I really wanted...

As a child, I was never drawn toward depraved or extreme situations; I really wanted...

My parents had this relationship that was really terrifying. I mean, the level of hatred...

My parents had this relationship that was really terrifying. I mean, the level of hatred...

I never listen to music when I write.

I never listen to music when I write.

I like, though, that people have a hunger to connect with other people. They're desperate...

I like, though, that people have a hunger to connect with other people. They're desperate...

I think writers tend to be experience junkies, and I think they also tend to...

I think writers tend to be experience junkies, and I think they also tend to...

I really look at my childhood as being one giant rusty tuna can that I...

I really look at my childhood as being one giant rusty tuna can that I...

When people meet me, many times they're very surprised because they expect someone who is...

When people meet me, many times they're very surprised because they expect someone who is...

There's never a false note in a Berg novel.

There's never a false note in a Berg novel.

I was on the cover of a lot of newspapers. I was on the cover...

I was on the cover of a lot of newspapers. I was on the cover...

I love to both give and receive very old books.

I love to both give and receive very old books.