To create a past that seemed authentic but would be a fiction, you need an invented language.

Quote by Jeanette Winterson

Topics: Jeanette Winterson Quotes

I hated historical novels with fluttering cloaks.

I hated historical novels with fluttering cloaks.

I don't read reviews because by then it's too late - whatever anyone says, the...

I don't read reviews because by then it's too late - whatever anyone says, the...

Everything in writing begins with language. Language begins with listening.

Everything in writing begins with language. Language begins with listening.

I wanted to write a new fable and see how many rules you could break.

I wanted to write a new fable and see how many rules you could break.

I am not interested in genres. I am interested in doing the best work I...

I am not interested in genres. I am interested in doing the best work I...

Your weak point is the open, vulnerable place where you can always be hurt. Love,...

Your weak point is the open, vulnerable place where you can always be hurt. Love,...

My books always begin with a sentence and an image - not necessarily connected.

My books always begin with a sentence and an image - not necessarily connected.

Confidence and superiority: It's the usual fundamentalist stuff: I've got the truth, and you haven't.

Confidence and superiority: It's the usual fundamentalist stuff: I've got the truth, and you haven't.

Naked is the best disguise.

Naked is the best disguise.

We shall all die, and our lives will be irrelevant then.

We shall all die, and our lives will be irrelevant then.

Life gives you enough hard knocks so it's unlikely you'll stay that sure of yourself.

Life gives you enough hard knocks so it's unlikely you'll stay that sure of yourself.

Many people feel their outer self isn't the whole self.

Many people feel their outer self isn't the whole self.

It is helpful for a woman artist not to have a husband.

It is helpful for a woman artist not to have a husband.

I am a writer who happens to love women. I am not a lesbian who...

I am a writer who happens to love women. I am not a lesbian who...

I don't understand why people talk of art as a luxury when it's a mind-altering...

I don't understand why people talk of art as a luxury when it's a mind-altering...

I think we still believe that ambition is for boys.

I think we still believe that ambition is for boys.

When it is time to get to work, I go away completely and don't do...

When it is time to get to work, I go away completely and don't do...

There are so many separate selves; no one who writes creatively hasn't felt that.

There are so many separate selves; no one who writes creatively hasn't felt that.

I never wanted children. If I'd been deeply in love with a man and he'd...

I never wanted children. If I'd been deeply in love with a man and he'd...

I never cared about money.

I never cared about money.