The only pleasurable part of taking the subway, as everyone will agree, is concocting elaborate fantasies about what it would be like to be married to the most interesting strangers you see there. Russell Smith agreeconcoctelaborate Change image and share on social
Personally, I see little distinction between an artistic mentality and criminality. You couldn't possibly create a compelling story without some wickedness or some fascination with the disgusting. Being good is a hindrance to a writer. Russell Smith artisticcompelcreate share on social
The only thing that makes a book YA is that it is about teenagers, and it is written in a very conventional, non-artsy, non-pretentious way. YA is not the place for the oblique or the cryptic. If it is in any way experimental in form, it is not YA. Russell Smith artsybookconventional share on social
My son craves picture books about Transformers and Ninja Turtles and the Hulk; they show one fantastic creature smashing or zapping another into smithereens on page after page. They are dull and ugly and show no interesting stories or models of conflict resolution or character building. Russell Smith bookbuildcharacter share on social
Conformism is essential to the group coherence and 'spirit.' The whole impetus behind tribalism of this kind is conservative: Belonging to the tribe is defined by opposition to other tribes. Our tribe, and its traditional ways, is superior to other tribes because it is ours. Russell Smith belongcoherenceconformism share on social
I am so sick of being exhorted, as a writer, to improve the world by representing it in a more hopeful way. Russell Smith exhorthopefulimprove Change image and share on social
Even in early adulthood, men can't be told what to wear; they can only be subtly moved by example, encouragement, and a generally sophisticated atmosphere. Russell Smith adulthoodatmosphereearly Change image and share on social
Fashion has always been in conflict with convention. Style involves some knowledge of both. But you can pretty much forget these seasonal injunctions. Russell Smith conflictconventionfashion Change image and share on social
If you tell your husband or boyfriend for his whole life that he needn't worry about his clothes, that he couldn't possibly understand them, that they are a woman's affair, then you can hardly complain that he doesn't have any style sense. You all make this bed. Russell Smith affairbedboyfriend share on social
Everyone likes to hear that their eccentricities and their addictions are simply evidence of their sensitive artistic nature. Russell Smith addictionartisticeccentricity Change image and share on social