I wasn't afraid of anything until I had a kid. Then I was terrified because immediately I could imagine a hundred ways in which I could not protect him. John Irving afraidhundredimagine Change image and share on social
I had a particular affinity for wrestling, and it did have a lot to do with being small and being combative - and being angry. And when you're small and you don't back down, you get in a lot of fights. John Irving affinityangryback share on social
If you are lucky enough to find a way of life you love, you have to find the courage to live it. John Irving couragefindlife Change image and share on social
And I don't want to begin something, I don't want to write that first sentence until all the important connections in the novel are known to me. As if the story has already taken place, and it's my responsibility to put it in the right order to tell it to you. John Irving beginconnectionimportant share on social
I think that writers are, at best, outsiders to the society they inhabit. They have a kind of detachment, or try to have. John Irving detachmentinhabitkind Change image and share on social
If you're still wondering about details - how am I going to get these two to meet, or whatever - when you're writing, you can't pay proper attention to the sentences themselves. John Irving attentiondetailmeet Change image and share on social
And I find - I'm 63, and my capacity to be by myself and just spend time by myself hasn't diminished any. That's the necessary part of being a writer, you better like being alone. John Irving capacitydiminishfind Change image and share on social
I lived five years in the Midwest, and I loved it. The people were so nice. The people were so open. John Irving livelovemidwest Change image and share on social
So, I don't work in terms of real time. I don't work in a timely fashion. John Irving fashionrealterm Change image and share on social
I never wanted my kids to feel I was more interested in anything I was doing than I was in them. John Irving feelinterestkid Change image and share on social
