Because I'm an art historian, I have some experience of writing that comes out of close attention. That's what really art history is. You're looking at something very closely, and you try to write in a meticulous way about it. Teju Cole artattentionclose share on social
When I've had enough of words, I go out into the city for a long walk; sometimes I'll go out walking for several miles. And I'll just take photographs and hope for something striking or unusual to happen that I can organize into a picture frame. Teju Cole cityframehappen share on social
Probably the biggest temptation that young writers face is to be entertaining, to show your bag of tricks and do a bit of tap dancing. I read a lot of things, and I keep seeing this brocade of voice where someone is trying to be too pally with you or ingratiating on the page. Teju Cole bagbigbite share on social
Always say 'no pun intended' to draw attention to the intended pun. Teju Cole attentiondrawintend Change image and share on social
Old-school hip hop, i.e., whatever was popular when you were nineteen, is great. Everything since then is intolerable. Teju Cole greathiphop Change image and share on social
For purposes of marketing, writers are designated as poets, novelists, or something else. But writing is about matchmaking, an attempt to marry sensations with apt words. Teju Cole aptattemptdesignate Change image and share on social
Religion is close to theatre; much of its power comes from the effects of staging and framing. Teju Cole closeeffectframe Change image and share on social
One of the difficulties of photography is that it is much better at being explicit than at being reticent. Teju Cole difficultyexplicitphotography Change image and share on social
One of the chief characteristics of a mob is its quickness. It is sudden. It pounces. Teju Cole characteristicchiefmob Change image and share on social
A mob is not, as is so often said, mindless. A mob is single-minded. Teju Cole mindmindlessmob Change image and share on social
