I'm writing for my ideal reader, for somebody who's willing to take the time, who's willing to get lost in a new world, who's willing to do their part. But then I have to do my part and give them a sound and a voice that they believe in enough to keep going. Elizabeth Strout giveideallose share on social
I was a pretty terrible lawyer. A really, really terrible lawyer. Elizabeth Strout lawyerprettyterrible Change image and share on social
The purpose of fiction is not to make people seem nice. What makes anyone think people are nice? Look around you! Elizabeth Strout fictionmakenice Change image and share on social
I'm so deeply interested in what it feels like to be other people that I get to operate under the illusion when I'm writing fiction that I'm not really revealing that much about myself. But, of course, I am, and I know that I am. And yet there's this sort of membrane that I get to work behind as I write my fiction, and I love it. Elizabeth Strout deeplyfeltfiction share on social
For years I did most of my reading on the F train between Brooklyn and Manhattan. I had long commutes, and I read tons of books on that train; I loved it. Elizabeth Strout bookbrooklyncommute Change image and share on social
I do write by hand. I just think - I don't know, it's a physical thing for me. It's a bodily thing. It literally has to earn its way through my hand. Elizabeth Strout bodilyearnhand Change image and share on social
Bullies are just frightened people. Elizabeth Strout bullyfrightenpeople Change image and share on social
I don't know if I have a memory of not thinking I was a writer - it goes that far back. I went to law school because I didn't know how to earn a living otherwise. I tried to ignore the pull, but it wouldn't let me. Elizabeth Strout backearnignore share on social
If you get divorced in New York, you go into therapy and will talk to anybody you meet on the sidewalk about it. Elizabeth Strout divorcemeetsidewalk Change image and share on social
My parents were very, very, very strict. Elizabeth Strout parentstrict Change image and share on social