The way that Dickens structured his books has a form that we most readily recognize now from, say, the great T.V. series, like 'The Wire' or 'The Sopranos.' There's one central plot line, but then from that spin off all kinds of subplots. Jennifer Egan bookcentraldicken share on social
The book that is the closest genetically to 'Goon Squad' is 'Look at Me.' It has the futuristic element - although, freakishly, almost every aspect I invented has come to pass in some way, including the terrorist who fantasies about blowing up the World Trade Centre. That was extremely uncomfortable. The book came out on the week of 9/11. Jennifer Egan aspectblowbook 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
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
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 hope to keep writing journalism as long as I write fiction; it's afforded me such amazing adventures and opportunities. It does take a lot of time, so it's hard to do both at once, but I try to do a big journalism piece every couple of years, and I'll hopefully continue with that. Jennifer Egan adventureaffordamaze share on social
'Goon Squad' took about three years to write and that's the short end. My second novel, 'Look at Me,' took six years. Jennifer Egan endgoonshort Change image and share on social
I don't really know where my ideas come from. I start with a time and a place. That's what I need to get started, and an intellectual question. Jennifer Egan ideaintellectualplace 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
I think, for one thing, all of us remember those teenage years and those songs that we fell in love with and the music scene that we were part of. So, in a certain way, music cuts through time like almost nothing else. You know, it makes us feel like we're back in an earlier moment. Jennifer Egan backcutearly share on social