Where story comes from, I don't know. I know that I become obsessed with something. An idea, an image, a person, the way a person talks. And then something starts happening that I can't explain, and it has a lot to do with language. Dorothy Allison explainhappenidea share on social
Gravy is the simplest, tastiest, most memory-laden dish I know how to make: a little flour, salt and pepper, crispy bits of whatever meat anchored the meal, a couple of cups of water or milk and slow stirring to break up lumps. Dorothy Allison anchorebitbreak share on social
When I was growing up, I always read horror books, while my sister read romance novels. My sister became unmarried and pregnant during high school, and she kept saying, 'This wasn't supposed to happen! Why is this happening to me?' Someone should have given her another book to read. Dorothy Allison bookgrowhappen share on social
It's fun to tease people about where fiction and life intersect. Dorothy Allison fictionfunintersect Change image and share on social
I'm still very blunt: If you want to be a writer, get a day job. The fact that I have actually been able to make a living at it is astonishing. Dorothy Allison astonishbluntday Change image and share on social
It's important to set challenges that you're not sure you're equal to. Dorothy Allison challengeequalimportant Change image and share on social
The hardest thing to teach young writers is that it's wonderful to tell your truth. And that's what you should do. But it damn well better be beautiful. Dorothy Allison beautifuldamnhard Change image and share on social
Watch out, or I'm liable to put you in a story. Dorothy Allison liableputstory Change image and share on social
Every kid I meet who's a reader has got something like that, their fantasy world. And science fiction is the best, especially for girls because it's the one place where you can do the forbidden. Dorothy Allison fantasyfictionforbid Change image and share on social
I think it's wonderful that people in pickup trucks are buying two flats of dog food and a copy of 'Bastard.' I want my view of the world to be right up there next to gallon boxes of Tide. Dorothy Allison bastardboxbuy Change image and share on social
