As a novelist, I tend to know significantly more about my characters than I do about my friends. Michelle Huneven characterfriendnovelist Change image and share on social
As a novelist, there are three phone calls you never expect to receive in your lifetime because if you waited for them you would grow despairing - one calling from Stockholm with a Swedish accent, one from the NBA, and one from Oprah Winfrey. Chris Bohjalian accentcalldespair share on social
As a novelist, you could say that I am dreaming while I am awake, and every day I can continue with yesterday's dream. Because it is a dream, there are so many contradictions and I have to adjust them to make the story work. But, in principle, the original dream does not change. Haruki Murakami adjustawakechange share on social
As a novelist, you deepen your characters as you go, adding layers. As a reporter, you try to peel layers away: observing subjects enough to get beneath the surface, re-questioning a source to find the facts. But these processes aren't so different. Amy Waldman addbeneathcharacter share on social
As a novelist, you have to be free. Books can't be an act of filial duty. Richard Flanagan actbookduty Change image and share on social
As a novelist, you have to pick your battles. You are tired. You have begun to experience the first ominous tinglings of carpal tunnel syndrome. You wake up in the middle of the night with both hands lying across your chest like a couple of plucked bird carcasses, dead of all sensation. Lynn Coady battlebeginbird share on social
As a nuclear power - as the only nuclear power to have used a nuclear weapon - the United States has a moral responsibility to act. Barack Obama actmoralnuclear Change image and share on social
As a number of people have stressed over the years, I think it would be premature to assume science itself will explain everything. Simon Conway Morris assumeexplainnumb Change image and share on social
As a painter, it seemed easier to sort of disappear. Troy Garity disappeareasypainter Change image and share on social
As a painter today you have to work without that essential platform. But if one does not deceive oneself and accepts this lack of certainty, other things may come into play. Bridget Riley acceptcertaintydeceive Change image and share on social