I think it's handy for a dramatist of any sort, if I can call myself that, to make use of weddings and wakes, to make use of those moments and those rituals that cause us to pause and look back or look forward and understand that life has changed. Alice McDermott backcallchange share on social
Read everything. Write all the time. And if you can do anything else that gives you equal pleasure and allows you to sleep soundly at night, do that instead. The writing life is an odd one, to say the least. Alice McDermott equallifenight share on social
I'm always telling my students, don't - don't worry so much third person, first person. It doesn't make that much difference. Alice McDermott differencemakeperson Change image and share on social
A perfect poem you can't pin down and say, 'This is exactly what it meant to me.' It's not a self-help manual. Alice McDermott manualmeanperfect Change image and share on social
The language of the Catholic Church - the liturgy, the prayer, the gospels - was in many ways my first poetry. Alice McDermott catholicchurchgospel Change image and share on social
I love a well-plotted story. But I'm just not that kind of writer, and it's not necessarily by choice. When I manipulate plot, I feel I lose authenticity. Alice McDermott authenticitychoicefeel Change image and share on social
