One of the things that probably drew me to writing was that it was something you could get on with by yourself. Publishing means going public. But the actual activity could scarcely be more invisible. And private. Graham Swift activityactualdraw share on social
Today's news, which may be yesterday's anyway, will be eclipsed tomorrow. Graham Swift eclipsenewstoday Change image and share on social
Of course there are times when I hate London, but equally there are times when I can walk 'round a corner and I really feel that this is my place. Graham Swift cornerequallyfeel Change image and share on social
I think what I like to do is to begin with the ordinary and find the extraordinary in it. Graham Swift beginextraordinaryfind Change image and share on social
My upbringing was absolutely not the archetypal writer's upbringing. Even, arguably, the opposite. Graham Swift absolutelyarchetypalarguably Change image and share on social
Part of the very impulse of writing for me is actually wanting to get away from myself. Graham Swift impulsepartwant Change image and share on social
The idea of stopping is not unmeaningful to me. I think there might be a time when, in theory at least, you'd say, 'Well I've mostly done what I want to do.' But how could you ever prevent a few years down the line some germ of an idea getting at you and you've got to do it again? Graham Swift germhaveidea share on social
When anything goes digital, let alone something as immaterial as a book, there is a tendency to see it as just in the air to be taken, and to lose the sense that somebody once made it. Graham Swift airbookdigital Change image and share on social
There is a certain inescapable attachment. If you are born somewhere and circumstances don't take you away from it, then you grow up and remain within it. Graham Swift attachmentbearcircumstance Change image and share on social
There's no such thing as the contemporary novel. Before I seem the complete reactionary, let me add that I've happily joined in many discussions about 'the contemporary novel' where what that usually, unproblematically means is novels that have appeared recently or may appear soon. Graham Swift addappearcomplete share on social