I read 'Crime and Punishment' years ago and don't recall the details of it, but I do retain a strong sense of the creeping paranoia and panic. Arthur Smith agocreepcrime Change image and share on social
I myself am pathetically impressed when I meet writers of very long novels. How can they spend so many hundreds of hours at the miserable, lonely pastime of creating fiction? Arthur Smith createfictionhour Change image and share on social
Don Quixote's 'Delusions' is an excellent read - far better than my own forthcoming travel book, 'Walking Backwards Across Tuscany.' Arthur Smith backwardsbookdelusion Change image and share on social
The Romantic poets were the prototype ramblers, and I've often found myself following in their footsteps - although perhaps not all of their footsteps since a typical walk for Samuel T. Coleridge might last two days and cover 145km. Arthur Smith 145kmcoleridgecover share on social
It's worth turning up to an awards gig if you know you've won one but, since you never do know, it's not worth it. Arthur Smith awardgighave Change image and share on social
The best way to prepare for a night out with a Shakespearean tragedy is to do a bit of reading up in the afternoon, eat a light supper - perhaps Welsh rarebit - and then arrive early to do some stretching exercises in the foyer before curtain-up. Arthur Smith afternoonarrivebite share on social
When they meet a stand-up comic, people sometimes remark: 'That must be the hardest job in the world.' Among comedians, only Freddie Starr is not embarrassed and slightly appalled by this remark. Arthur Smith appallcomediancomic Change image and share on social
Theatricals can be irritating, but will provide a better night out than mobile phone salespeople. Arthur Smith irritatemobilenight Change image and share on social
I see my large nose, like half an avocado. I broke it falling downstairs when I was six, and it now resembles a large blob of play-dough. Arthur Smith avocadoblobbreak Change image and share on social
