Humor reminds you, when you're flattened by sorrow, that you're still human. Elizabeth McCracken flattenhumanhumor Change image and share on social
The walls of the Franciscan Church of the Assumption of the Holy Virgin Mary were ruined stucco chipping away from the brick underneath, with ghostly frescoes, concrete-filled niches, and one complete, vivid crucifix painted over the altar. Elizabeth McCracken altarassumptionbrick 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
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
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 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
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
Sadness was something I was thinking about in my life outside of writing, so it wormed itself into whatever I wrote. Elizabeth McCracken lifesadnessthink Change image and 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
