Susan Orlean Quotes

I knew I was a writer; I wanted to be a writer, but I didn't know what to write.

Neophyte writers tend to believe that there is something magical about ideas and that if they can just get a hold of a good one, then their futures are ensured.

I'm very interested in writing - it just takes so much discipline, whether it's short stories or novels.

If you want to be a writer, just write. There's no magic to it.

I never know how to give advice to a writer because there's so much you could say, and it's hard to translate your own experience. But of course, I always try. The main thing that I usually end up saying is to read a lot. To read a great deal and to learn from that.

I don't usually think of my writing as a 'challenge' because I enjoy the process so much. I suppose that's what's helped me to avoid 'writer's block' all these years.

As a writer, you look for inspiration wherever you can get it.

I'm way into writing, as much as I can.

I would say, number one, don't worry about getting published. Just write. Number two, just write. Three is make sure you read.

If you're a writer, the insight of other writers - if there's some kind of Holy Grail message on how to deal with writer's block or how to deal with any problem that can come up - whether you're writing about yourself or a group of people, I find that very interesting.

I've always been a writer.

They're fancy talkers about themselves, writers. If I had to give young writers advice, I would say don't listen to writers talking about writing or themselves.

I started writing when I was about 20, 21 maybe.

How do we live the writer's life? There's only one simple answer: 'we write.'

The first book you write because of the way it makes you feel. The second one you can't help but wonder how it's going to make the reader feel.

I really write for people.

I always have a story in my head that needs to be written, or at least I think I do. But I usually can't find the time to write it.

I might be into writing... I'd like to try it someday. I always come up with some good ideas.

I want to write more, because I think I've got a story to tell.

Struggling writers are often advised to pick a simple genre, but it doesn't work that way.

I enjoy talking to groups who are interested in the writing process or the industry. I never teach - because truthfully, I don't know how it all works; it just does. Sort of magic-like. But I love to share my experiences and perspectives.

It's a lot to expect of yourself, to write a novel in a year. Anyway, you don't write a novel, you write a scene, and then another scene.

I write constantly about everything.

I spent several years acquiring the obsessive, day-to-day discipline that's needed if you want to write professionally, then several more, highly valuable years studying fiction writing at the University of Iowa.

Novel writing is solitary work.