If Shakespeare thought comedy worthwhile, that means the rest of us can take a break from tragedy now and then without betraying our calling, even if the modern professional intellectual, a poseur by nature, has yet to discover this. Mark Helprin betraybreakcall share on social
Reason is a fine thing, but it is not the only thing available to a writer. It's just part of the arsenal of many things available to a storyteller. Revelation, for example. Mark Helprin arsenalfinepart Change image and share on social
The trick in nuclear strategy is to maintain stability by balancing potentials and thus to discourage events from converting the hypothetical to the actual. Mark Helprin actualbalanceconvert Change image and share on social
In an interview, I lose control even of what I am, for it is the interviewer who edits me, finally, into what he thinks I am, and never have I been happy with someone else's version of my life after that person has spent an entire two or three hours fathoming it. Mark Helprin controleditentire share on social
When people ask me why is 'Winter's Tale' a fantasy, I point out that it is not a fantasy. Mark Helprin fantasypeoplepoint Change image and share on social
Accident is as much a part of fiction as anything else, symbolic of the grace that, along with will, conspires to put words on the page. Mark Helprin accidentconspirefiction Change image and share on social
Though builders may build, in the main they follow the plans of architects. Teachers teach, but they must have a text. Politicians govern, but only upon the flow of commentary that raises them up or casts them down. Mark Helprin architectbuildbuilder share on social
'Freeing' a literary work into the public domain is less a public benefit than a transfer of wealth from the families of American writers to the executives and stockholders of various businesses who will continue to profit from, for example, 'The Garden Party,' while the descendants of Katherine Mansfield will not. Mark Helprin americanbenefitbusiness share on social