That's what you're looking for as a writer when you're working. You're looking for your own freedom. To lose your inhibition to delve deep into your memory and experiences and life and then to find the prose that will persuade the reader. Philip Roth deepdelveexperience share on social
For me, the passing of time has provided me with subjects I never had before. Subjects I can now look at from a historical perspective. Like the anti-communist era in America. I lived through that. I was a boy; I didn't find a way to write about it until many years later. The same with the Vietnam War. Philip Roth americaantiboy share on social
Novel-writing is, for the novelist, a game of let's pretend. Philip Roth gamenovelistpretend Change image and share on social
All that we don't know is astonishing. Even more astonishing is what passes for knowing. Philip Roth astonishknowpass Change image and share on social
I work all day, morning and afternoon, just about every day. If I sit there like that for two or three years, at the end I have a book. Philip Roth afternoonbookday Change image and share on social
History... is a nightmare from which I am trying to awake. Philip Roth awakehistorynightmare Change image and share on social
Of course you bank on your experience, but as a sounding board. It isn't that you write down what happens to you every day. You wouldn't be a writer if you did that. Philip Roth bankboardday Change image and share on social
For all I know, I am beginning with the ending. My page one can wind up a year later as page two hundred, if it's still even around. Philip Roth beginendhundred Change image and share on social
The road to hell is paved with works-in-progress. Philip Roth hellpaveprogress Change image and share on social