Writers are not just people who sit down and write. They hazard themselves. Every time you compose a book your composition of yourself is at stake. E. L. Doctorow bookcomposecomposition Change image and share on social
It seems to me that in literature, books have always been answers to other books. E. L. Doctorow answerbookliterature Change image and share on social
My sense of what a book should be has changed so radically. I like to think for the better. E. L. Doctorow bookchangeradically Change image and share on social
Each book tends to have its own identity rather than the author's. It speaks from itself rather than you. Each book is unlike the others because you are not bringing the same voice to every book. I think that keeps you alive as a writer. E. L. Doctorow aliveauthorbook share on social
Things that appear on the front page of the newspaper as 'fact' are far more dangerous than the games played by a novelist, and can lead to wars. E. L. Doctorow dangerousfactfront Change image and share on social
To have the regard of one's peers is immensely moving. E. L. Doctorow immenselymovepeer Change image and share on social
Obama is a great man who's just beginning to understand the realities. And I'm not just saying that because he reads my books. I would have voted for him anyway. E. L. Doctorow beginbookgreat Change image and share on social
I got married very early, and in no time at all, we had three children. And it seemed to me I had an obligation to support them. E. L. Doctorow childearlymarry Change image and share on social
I get intrigued by a first lin and I write to find out why it means something to me. You make discoveries just the way the reader does, so you're simultaneously the writer and the reader. E. L. Doctorow discoveryfindintrigue Change image and share on social
I began to ask two questions while I was reading a book that excited me: not only what was going to happen next, but how is this done? How is it that these words on the page make me feel the way I'm feeling? This is the line of inquiry that I think happens in a child's mind, without him even knowing he has aspirations as a writer. E. L. Doctorow aspirationbeginbook share on social