Your job as a writer is to find storylines, narrative structures, and characters to show the things that you believe rather than saying them or telling them. Philipp Meyer characterfindjob Change image and share on social
If you've grown up with guns, the thought that someone might take them away makes your stomach churn. They make you feel safe. If you didn't grow up with guns, if you don't know how to use them, then the thought that someone else has them makes your stomach churn. Philipp Meyer churnfeelgrow share on social
At Cornell University, it was well known that after five years on Wall Street, you could expect to be making half a million a year in salary and bonus; after 10 years, you could expect a million or more. I had 60 grand of university debt, and my parents had no retirement. I needed that money. Philipp Meyer bonuscornelldebt share on social
At 16, I dropped out of school and spent five years working as a bicycle mechanic and volunteering in a Trauma Centre before ultimately deciding to go to university. Philipp Meyer bicyclecentredecide Change image and share on social
Cornell changed my life; getting in there was one of my pinnacle moments. Philipp Meyer changecornelllife Change image and share on social
When I dropped out of high school at age 16, I didn't know I was going to become a writer - I just knew I'd never been happy in school, and I had this strong suspicion I'd be happy doing other things. Philipp Meyer agedrophappy Change image and share on social
I should say that generally I'm a pretty happy person, but as soon as I'm done with a project, I'm usually not happy at all. I feel a little empty and strange. I begin to think about how I can get better, stretch more artistically and intellectually. My biggest worry is getting complacent. Philipp Meyer artisticallybeginbig share on social
I wanted to think about our creation myth; you know, what is the fundamental story that defines America. And it certainly is the West. Philipp Meyer americacreationdefine Change image and share on social
My ideal is to write most of the day, then go running, find friends and socialise all evening; my mind recharges with human contact. Philipp Meyer contactdayeven Change image and share on social
I just assume that I'll fail at something for several years - that I'll try my hardest and still fail for several years. With writing, that turned out to be wrong. I tried my hardest and failed for about fifteen years. Philipp Meyer assumefailfifteen share on social