Writers are outsiders. Even when we seem like insiders, we're outsiders. We have to be. Our noses pressed to the glass, we notice everything. We mull and interpret. We store away clues, details that may be useful to us later. Dani Shapiro cluedetailglass share on social
Sometimes when I'm at my desk, I'll realize that I have contorted myself completely, and I haven't moved for hours, and that my legs have fallen asleep. I am elsewhere, not in my body, not in the room, not in my house. Dani Shapiro asleepbodycompletely share on social
If you are a writer or any kind of artist, if you change something as fundamental as where you live - the way you live - then I think you change the very instrument that is trying to make the art. Dani Shapiro artartistchange Change image and share on social
Music inspires me and puts me in the right mood, but to actually listen to it when I write - I find it gets in the way. Dani Shapiro findinspirelisten Change image and share on social
I don't think it's possible to separate out the strands of a writer's history, circumstances, life events, and that writer's themes. Dani Shapiro circumstanceeventhistory Change image and share on social
When it comes to the personal essays I write, I just convince myself that no one will ever read them. Dani Shapiro convinceessaypersonal Change image and share on social
Our minds have a tendency to wander. To duck and feint and keep us at a slight remove from the moment at hand. Dani Shapiro duckfeinthand Change image and share on social
Devotion, as it relates to the title of my memoir, means fidelity - as in fidelity to a person or a practice. I think it's certainly possible to feel devotion without having faith, at least in the religious sense of the word. Dani Shapiro devotionfaithfeel share on social
When we reach reflexively for something to dull an ache inside of us, in that very moment of reaching, we are hiding from our pain. We're storing it away. Tamping it down. Dani Shapiro achedullhide Change image and share on social
There's a danger in romanticizing what it means to be a writer. Because what it really means is hard, hard work. It means tearing your hair out. Feeling like your head is about to explode. Dani Shapiro dangerexplodefelt Change image and share on social