I don't read anything electronically. I don't write electronically, either - except e-mails to my family and friends. I write in longhand. I have always written first drafts by hand, but I used to write subsequent drafts and insert pages on a typewriter. John Irving draftelectronicallyfamily share on social
I believe in rules of behavior, and I'm quite interested in stories about the consequences of breaking those rules. John Irving behaviorbreakconsequence Change image and share on social
I'm not writing non-fiction. I don't feel anything about me as a kid was unique. Except that I had more interest in being alone and using my imagination. John Irving feelfictionimagination Change image and 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
If you presume to love something, you must love the process of it much more than you love the finished product. John Irving finishlovepresume Change image and share on social
I have a very poor record at multiple choice questions. John Irving choicemultiplepoor Change image and share on social
To each other, we were as normal and nice as the smell of bread. We were just a family. In a family even exaggerations make perfect sense. John Irving breadexaggerationfamily Change image and share on social
I believe you have constructive accidents en route through a novel only because you have mapped a clear way. If you have confidence that you have a clear direction to take, you always have confidence to explore other ways; if they prove to be mere digressions, you'll recognize that and make the necessary revisions. John Irving accidentclearconfidence share on social
I grew up around books - my grandmother's house, where I lived as a small child, was full of books. My father was a history teacher, and he loved the Russian novels. There were always books around. John Irving bookchildfather Change image and share on social
More than a half, maybe as much as two-thirds of my life as a writer is rewriting. I wouldn't say I have a talent that's special. It strikes me that I have an unusual kind of stamina. John Irving halfkindlife Change image and share on social