I was born in 1949, and by the time I was 10, I figured out that my hope chest was not aimed in the same direction everybody else's was. And that life was going to be very, very complicated. And that I could either be provocative and declamatory, or shy, retiring and scared. Dorothy Allison aimbearchest share on social
One of the strengths I derive from my class background is that I am accustomed to contempt. Dorothy Allison accustombackgroundclass Change image and share on social
I'll tell you the secret. When you begin with a character, you want to begin by creating a villain. Dorothy Allison begincharactercreate Change image and share on social
My sisters, we didn't like each other as kids. We were scared of each other, I think, but we've grown to love each other. It was fun to write about these sisters who were supposed to hate each other but really don't. Dorothy Allison fungrowhate share on social
And while it is true that I got the best woman in the world, I don't think love saves you. Dorothy Allison lovesavetrue Change image and share on social
If somebody gave you several thousand dollars and nothin' to do but write, would you be a writer then? Would you tell your stories, your family's stories, then? Dorothy Allison dollarfamilygive Change image and share on social
Two or three things I know for sure, and one is that I'd rather go naked than wear the coat the world has made for me. Dorothy Allison coatmakenaked Change image and share on social
My son, Wolf, was born when I was past 40 and the author of a best-selling novel. That means he has grown up a middle-class child - one who sometimes asks me for stories of my childhood but knows nothing of what it means to grow up poor and afraid. I have worked to make sure of that. Dorothy Allison afraidaskauthor share on social
Change, when it comes, cracks everything open. Dorothy Allison changecrackopen Change image and share on social