I see creative-writing classes as some sort of AA meeting. It is more of a support group for people who write than an actual course in which you learn writing skills. This support group is extremely important because there is something very lonely about writing. Etgar Keret actualclasscreative share on social
Sometimes, when you are in a really constrained situation, it makes you more focused about what you want to say and where you're heading. The most beautiful love poems that were ever written are sonnets, composed in a very constraining form. Etgar Keret beautifulcomposeconstrain share on social
The reason I write is that I'm not in dialogue with my emotions; writing puts me in touch with myself. Etgar Keret dialogueemotionput Change image and share on social
Being published in Arabic is a strong and consistent wish I have. I live in the Middle East and want to be in some sort of an unpragmatic dialogue with my neighbors. Etgar Keret arabicconsistentdialogue Change image and share on social
I tried once in my life to write a novel. I had written something like 80 pages of it when my laptop got stolen. When I told people this, they acted as if something tragic had happened, but I kind of felt relieved, grateful to the thief who saved me from another year of something that felt more like homework than fun. Etgar Keret actfeltfun share on social
It took a lot to understand that the interest in both writing a story and reading it is not in the objective dangers someone takes. You don't have to fight snakes or wake up in a strange apartment to have a story; it's about what goes on inside your mind and soul. Etgar Keret apartmentdangerfight share on social
In the army you feel violated - there's no private space. Writing was a life-saver, a way of recovering private territory. Etgar Keret armyfeellife Change image and share on social
I rarely return to characters. My characters, at least most of them, are much more a part of that superorganism that is the story than separate and independent creatures. Etgar Keret charactercreatureindependent Change image and share on social
I always have a story in my head that needs to be written, or at least I think I do. But I usually can't find the time to write it. Etgar Keret findheadstory Change image and share on social
When I write a story, I have no idea what I'm doing. All I know is that I want to share something with my readers. The whole idea of writing is this place where you lose control, where you're irresponsible - it's a very liberating place. Etgar Keret controlideairresponsible share on social