The American society around me looked at me and saw Japanese. Then, when I was 19, I went to Japan for the first time. And suddenly - what a shock - I realized I wasn't Japanese; they saw me as American. It was an enormous relief. Now I just appreciate being exactly in the middle. Ruth Ozeki americanenormousjapan share on social
There's something about Vonnegut's deadpan irony that I really like. And I like Borges' puzzle structure. Ruth Ozeki borgedeadpanirony Change image and share on social
I think that all writing is in search of lost time. I'm starting to realise that very clearly. Ruth Ozeki loserealisesearch Change image and share on social
Any independent bookstore that has managed to survive is the best place to do a reading. Ruth Ozeki bookstoreindependentmanage Change image and share on social
It makes me nuts, the idea that if you put a political struggle at the heart of your book, then it has to be that the author - me - is trying in some way to push my views onto my readers. Ruth Ozeki authorbookheart Change image and share on social
I did documentary film for a long time, and I spent a lot of time behind the camera, fervently wishing that the reality I was filming would conform to my narrative propriety. But you can't control it. Ruth Ozeki cameraconformcontrol Change image and share on social
When I'm writing a novel, which is what I like to write, I get up early, sit zazen, make a pot of green tea. I wear wrist cuffs to keep my wrists warm and minimize irritation from extended contact with the surface of my desk. I sit down and write. Ruth Ozeki contactcuffdesk share on social
Writing is solitary. You spend so much time alone and in your own mind, telling stories. Ruth Ozeki mindsolitaryspend Change image and share on social