George Pelecanos Quotes

I had never taken creative writing classes. Hadn't even considered it.

I had neither expert aid nor advice. I studied no courses in writing; until a year or so ago, I never read a book by anybody advising writers how to write.

My first true lesson in writing came from Mr. Bowden when I was 16. At my high school, he was the teacher known to be the very best at literature and writing.

Like most art forms, writing is part instinct and part craft. The craft part is the part that can be taught, and that can make a crucial difference to lots of writers.

'EIla Enchanted' began in a marvelous writing course at New York City's The New School.

Favorite subject? I would have to say creative writing.

Writing is not an unknown territory for me.

Doing interesting things and then writing about them is the best way to become a good writer.

All experience helps when you write.

I've been writing fiction probably since I was about 6 years old, so it's something that is second nature to me now. I just sit down and start writing. I don't sit down and start writing and it comes out perfectly - it's a process.

I've been writing since I was really young, so I considered myself a writer for a really long time.

The best writers who have put pen to paper have often had a journalism background.

Many novice writers, students in particular, think that writing is little more than copying down their self-talk, the palaver of the voices they hear in their heads. Of course, self-talk is thinking, and writing begins with thinking.

The task of a writer consists of being able to make something out of an idea.

I never think that any writer can teach someone how to write.

One of the things I learnt over the years is that there is a craft to writing, like there is a craft to acting. I hadn't done my apprenticeship as a writer. I did try to be a writer for hire but I'm not any good at it.

My mother was a journalist, so writing is not unnatural to me.

You have to go where the good writing is.

I have acting technique; I have singing technique; I don't have a writing technique to fall back on.

I did not go to any creative writing workshop; I did not major in literature. If I can write, anyone can write. All it needs is imagination.

I didn't study writing. I didn't write anything substantial until I got to California.

All of the most important lessons about writing I learned from my father. He never set out to teach me anything, it would just be something he said casually in conversation.

word thrower … phrase maker

I've been writing since I was 19.

Writing is boring, very boring, and it takes so much patience.