I didn't get anything published until I was thirty-three, and yet I'd written five novels and six or seven plays. The plays, I should point out, were dreadful. Edmund White dreadfulnovelplay Change image and share on social
My father was a sort of John Wayne Texan who'd worked as a cowboy when he was young. He'd participated in rattlesnake round-ups and swum with copperheads. Edmund White copperheadcowboyfather Change image and share on social
In a memoir, your main contract with the reader is to tell the truth, no matter how bizarre. Edmund White bizarrecontractmain Change image and share on social
If you're a beach person or a golfer, Key West is not for you. Most of the sand has been imported, and the water is shallow until you've waded far out, and all the way the sea floor is covered with yucky algae and sea grass. Edmund White algabeachcover share on social
The talk shows in the States want celebrities, not authors. In France, it is different; writers are called upon to comment on everything. They have a very public role there. Edmund White authorcallcelebrity Change image and share on social
Some writers are so enthralled by ideas (one thinks of Doris Lessing) that their characters become debaters, and their fables approach allegory. Edmund White allegoryapproachcharacter Change image and share on social
The first version of The Beautiful Room Is Empty was the first mss. I'd ever submitted to New York editors. Edmund White beautifuleditorempty Change image and share on social
Barack Obama's decision to come out in favour of gay marriage may be a historic occasion, but it is not an isolated one. His administration has been making pro-gay noises for some time; his demographic in the upcoming election is young and educated, precisely the group that favours equality for the LGBT community. Edmund White administrationbarackcommunity share on social
Early on, after gay liberation, there was an almost Stalinist pressure from gay critics and even gay readers to write about positive role models. We were never supposed to write negative things about gays, or else we were seen as collaborating with the enemy. Edmund White collaboratecriticearly share on social
The culmination of a long struggle was 2013, which could clearly be labeled the Year of the Gay. State after state had legalized gay marriage, despite intense opposition from the religious right. Edmund White culminationgayintense Change image and share on social