Americans are less selfish than some of our politicians believe and will respond with reason and resilience to passionate clarity. Jennifer Egan americanclaritypassionate Change image and share on social
I had this idea that I could hire myself out as a person to go on archeological digs and dig, without any training! I actually wrote to a number of archeology departments and offered up my services. Jennifer Egan archeologicalarcheologydepartment Change image and share on social
If you don't have people that the reader cares about and stories that are gripping, you've got nothing. Jennifer Egan caregriphave Change image and share on social
The music industry is an interesting lens through which to look at change, because it has had such a difficult time adjusting to the digital age. Jennifer Egan adjustagechange Change image and share on social
We live in a moment and a culture when reading is really endangered. There's simply no way to write well, though, if you're not reading well. Jennifer Egan cultureendangerlive Change image and share on social
I was obsessed with The Who. I would have accepted a marriage proposal from Roger Daltrey on the spot. I went to all of their shows in San Francisco and some in L.A. That was as close as I got to being a groupie. Jennifer Egan acceptclosedaltrey share on social
If having a story that's compelling - you want to know what will happen - is traditional, then ultimately I am a traditionalist. That is what readers care about. It's what I care about as a reader. Now if I can have that along with a strong girding of ideas and some kind of exciting technical forays - then that is just the jackpot. Jennifer Egan carecompelexcit share on social
The bottom line is that I like my first drafts to be blind, unconscious, messy efforts; that's what gets me the best material. Jennifer Egan blindbottomdraft Change image and share on social
I write totally spontaneously. I actually write fiction by hand - that always seems to startle people. I think the reason I do that is to bypass the thinking part of me and get to the more unconscious part, which is where all the good ideas seem to be. Jennifer Egan bypassfictiongood share on social
It seemed impossible that a scrappy book like 'Goon Squad' could win an award like that. It's such an iconic honor. I think what the Pulitzer means to me is that I'll need to work very, very hard to try to live up to it. Jennifer Egan awardbookgoon share on social