I write as if I were drunk. It is a process of intuition rather than placing myself above my story like a puppeteer pulling strings. For me, it's a scary, chaotic process over which I have little control. Words demand other words, characters resist me. Elif Safak chaoticcharactercontrol share on social
I find families intriguing, perhaps because I did not grow up in one. I was raised by a feminist, independent, single mother, a divorcee. Elif Safak divorceefamilyfeminist Change image and share on social
For me, writing stories is one way of feeling connected to the universe and God. Elif Safak connectfeltgod Change image and share on social
Books change us. Books save us. I know this because it happened to me. Books saved me. So, I do believe through stories we can learn to change, we can learn to empathize and be more connected with the universe and with humanity. Elif Safak bookchangeconnect share on social
God is the biggest storyteller, and when we create stories, we connect with him and with each other across cultural, religious and gender boundaries. Elif Safak bigboundaryconnect Change image and share on social
I spent my entire childhood observing people. I still do. Elif Safak childhoodentireobserve Change image and share on social
I write with humour about sadness, to introduce an element of sweet to the sour, a bit like Turkish food. Elif Safak biteelementfood Change image and share on social
I love commuting between languages just like I love commuting between cultures and cities. Elif Safak citycommuteculture Change image and share on social
