That was one of the reasons I became a writer - I never really had that many friends. I would read a lot, and listen to music. And that was my life. Dana Spiotta friendlifelisten Change image and share on social
People think it's suspect and self-indulgent to make art, and I don't think that's true. Some people think you should be busy making something that you can sell in the marketplace, and if nobody wants to buy it, it must be crap. And that's not true. Dana Spiotta artbusybuy share on social
The idea that you can live off the grid and just do your own thing is a very American idea - that you should be able to do your own thing, if you want to, if you're willing to pay the price for it. I think the price has gotten higher and higher. Dana Spiotta americangridhigh share on social
Getting an audience requires luck as well as talent. Some artists are private and shy. It costs them too much. Dana Spiotta artistaudiencecost Change image and share on social
I like to buy books for the kids in my family. I guess that's why they call me the 'mean' aunt. Dana Spiotta auntbookbuy Change image and share on social
I think it's harder than ever to be an artist. I think that you end up, especially as a middle-aged person, you pay such big consequences for saying, 'I'm just going to devote my life to making art,' or 'I'm going to devote my life to writing novels.' You end up with no resources. Dana Spiotta ageartartist share on social
I don't have a lot of skills, but one thing I can do is, I can compartmentalize. I can make that a little world that I can go back to, so I can be a waitress, or I can be a teacher, and then go and work on my book. Dana Spiotta backbookcompartmentalize share on social
Your memories from your early childhood seem to have such purchase on your emotions. They are so concrete. Dana Spiotta childhoodconcreteearly Change image and share on social
My husband is a musician. He cooks and he's a chef but he also, he makes basement recordings. So many people in my life make basement recordings, so I feel very lucky, I'm surrounded by very creative people. Dana Spiotta basementchefcook share on social
I locate a great deal of the power of Occupy Wall Street in the name itself, 'Occupy Wall Street,' or '#OccupyWallStreet.' It works because the name contains everything you need to know: the tactic and the target. The name is also modular. You can create your own offshoot in your own city. Dana Spiotta citycreatedeal share on social