We shouldn't romanticize rejection. There's nothing romantic about rejection. It's horrible. Marlon James horriblerejectionromantic Change image and share on social
I'm not a writer on a mission, and I'm very suspicious of writers on missions, but I'm also not living a false life. Marlon James falselifelive Change image and share on social
My first novel, 'John Crow's Devil,' freed me up to write about the past, and 'The Book of Night Women' freed me up to have a book totally based on voice and being very spontaneous. Marlon James basebookcrow Change image and share on social
I always tell my students to complicate your characters: never make it easy for the reader. Nobody is ever one thing. That's what makes characters compelling. Marlon James charactercompelcomplicate Change image and share on social
In 1976, Rastafarians were one of the most violated, persecuted groups in Jamaica. They could be beaten within an inch of their lives, or detained for two years, just for being found in a 'proper' neighbourhood. Marlon James beatdetainfind share on social
I think the Greeks were the only people ever to nail character. Their heroes are deeply flawed. Marlon James characterdeeplyflawed Change image and share on social
The fiction writer in me likes gaps in stories because I can jump into that gap and try to suggest something. Marlon James fictiongapjump Change image and share on social
I think, for me, there's The Book I Should Write and The Book I Wanted to Write - and they weren't the same book. The Book I Should Write should be realistic, since I studied English Lit. It should be cultural. It should reflect where I am today. The Book I Wanted to Write would probably include flying women, magic, and all of that. Marlon James bookculturalenglish share on social
I was the nerd. Because I was reading. I wasn't into sports. I was really into art. Very geekish about comics. Assumed gay. Marlon James artassumecomic Change image and share on social
I find the violence in PG13 movies unbearable. This kid will never run home, never have another birthday. His death is slow, nightmarish. And you have to explore the consequences - the people who live on with this death. Marlon James birthdayconsequencedeath share on social