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
I always have the impression that I write the same book. Patrick Modiano bookimpressionwrite Change image and share on social
I've always had the wish, the nostalgia to be able to write detective novels. At heart, the principal themes of detective novels are close to the things that obsess me: disappearance, the problems of identity, amnesia, the return to an enigmatic past. Patrick Modiano amnesiaclosedetective 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
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
At the beginning, I experienced writing as a sort of constraint. Starting so young as a writer is pitiable: it's beyond your powers; you have to lay bare things that are very heavy, and you don't have the means for that. Patrick Modiano barebeginconstraint 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
I write in the most classical French because this form is necessary for my novels: to translate the murky, floating, unsettling atmosphere I wanted them to have, I had to discipline it into the clearest, most traditional language possible. Patrick Modiano atmosphereclassicalclear share on social
Encourage aspiring writers to continue writing when things are going against them, when it feels hard. Explain the typical obstacles that occur, and encourage and reassure them to continue, never to give up. Patrick Modiano aspirecontinueencourage share on social
