I often have the impression that the book I've just finished isn't satisfied: that it rejects me because I haven't successfully completed it. Because there is no going back, I'm forced to begin a new book so I can finally complete the previous one. Patrick Modiano backbeginbook share on social
I think I became a writer because I didn't know of anything else to do. Maybe some incident from my childhood influenced me. Patrick Modiano childhoodincidentinfluence Change image and share on social
When I was younger, I just put off the writing until later in the day, but now I write early every morning to get it done. I can only write for a few hours at a time; after that, my attention fades. Patrick Modiano attentiondayearly Change image and share on social
For a long time, I've had a recurring dream - I dream I don't have to write any more, that I'm free. I'm not free, alas; I'm still clearing the same terrain, with the impression that it's never finished. Patrick Modiano alacleardream share on social
A novelist can never be his own reader, except when he is ridding his manuscript of syntax errors, repetitions, or the occasional superfluous paragraph. Patrick Modiano errormanuscriptnovelist Change image and share on social
I always have the impression that I write the same book. Patrick Modiano bookimpressionwrite Change image and share on social
Something happens between a novel and its reader which is similar to the process of developing photographs, the way they did it before the digital age. The photograph, as it was printed in the darkroom, became visible bit by bit. As you read your way through a novel, the same chemical process takes place. Patrick Modiano agebitechemical share on social
The more things remain obscure and mysterious, the more they interest me. I even try to find mystery in things that have none. Patrick Modiano findinterestmysterious Change image and share on social
In the end, we are all determined by the place and the time in which we were born. Patrick Modiano beardetermineend Change image and share on social
Recently, I looked back at my first manuscripts and was struck by the lack of space, of breath. That's exactly how it felt, back then... like I was suffocating. Patrick Modiano backbreathfelt Change image and share on social