Humor reminds you, when you're flattened by sorrow, that you're still human. Elizabeth McCracken flattenhumanhumor Change image and share on social
I work in my office on the campus of the University of Texas. It's the sort of place described as 'book-lined', but it's recently tipped over into 'fire-hazard' territory. Elizabeth McCracken bookcampusfire Change image and share on social
When it comes to other people's writing, my older influences are more powerful than more recent ones, partially because I'm now more worried that I'll suddenly accidentally steal something from another writer. Elizabeth McCracken accidentallyinfluenceold share on social
I'm astounded by people who can listen to music when they write. I can only assume that they have multi-track brains, while mine is decidedly single. Elizabeth McCracken assumeastoundbrain Change image and share on social
I am not a therapy person, but I understand what therapy does. It's a way of translating dark thoughts into something manageable. Elizabeth McCracken darkmanageableperson Change image and share on social
I have been the person who tries to keep conversation light while talking to someone whose heart has been smashed. Elizabeth McCracken conversationheartlight Change image and share on social
Short fiction is like low relief. And if your story has no humor in it, then you're trying to look at something in the pitch dark. With the light of humor, it throws what you're writing into relief so that you can actually see it. Elizabeth McCracken darkfictionhumor share on social
Acknowledgment of grief - well, it makes feeling the grief easier, not harder. Elizabeth McCracken acknowledgmenteasyfelt Change image and share on social
When I was in college, I wrote poetry very seriously, and then once I had started writing short stories, I didn't go back to poetry, partially because I felt like I understood how incredibly difficult it was. Elizabeth McCracken backcollegedifficult share on social
Once I started writing novels, I understood how hard it was to write really good short stories. Elizabeth McCracken goodhardnovel Change image and share on social
