Robert Caro Quotes

When 'Catch Me If You Can' was published back in 1980, I never dreamed that it would become a bestseller, much less a major motion picture and now a big Broadway musical. What's amazing about the book is that it has never gone out of print.

I had no idea that 'Less Than Zero' was going to be read by anyone outside of Los Angeles, and it's - believe me, as the writer of the book I'm somewhat amused and intrigued by the idea that 25 years later it's still out and people are still reading it.

'Tom Sawyer' could have been written eight months ago, with the kind of response it still gets.

I've written a whole body of work that I'm incredibly proud of.

I am proudest of that first novel, 'Trust,' of anything I have written. I don't think I've had such intense energy since.

'Made it as a writer'? I'm still wondering if I've made it as a writer. I've made it as a published writer of the type of SF that I want to write and read, but I'm still waiting for that big breakthrough.

I have been writing for 50 years and readers still read my first book from when I was in the Marine Corps.

The real kiss of death - particularly with my father - is the extraordinary popularity of his work.

Publishing a novel was such a proud thing for me. When I was a kid, I used to say to my mum and dad, 'I'm going to write a book. You'll see.' So when I did, and it was published, and people liked it, it was great.

You want all your books to stick around after you've gone.

We've been fortunate. 'Push It' will never die.

I know that sometimes it happens that a novelist is embarrassed about their early works. For me, it's the opposite: I believe 'Durable Goods' is the best thing I've written.

Only another writer, someone who had worked his heart out on a good book which sold three thousand copies, could appreciate the thrill that overcame me one April morning in 1973 when Dean Rivers of our small college in Georgia appeared at my classroom door

I want longevity. I don't want to be a flash in the pan. I want to continue to do good work and projects that inspire me, and if I can have fun while doing it, that's the dream.

By then The Kite Runner had become quite successful and I found myself in a position that I had always dreamed of my whole life, which was to write for a living.

Ever since I was a kid, I've wanted to set a time that nobody can touch for many years.

As enjoyable as it is when you're just writing and getting feedback from family members, it's 10 times more enjoyable, or 100 times more enjoyable, when you actually start getting paid for it, and people start reading your books, and once in a while you get a good review.

The goal was to have matches that would stand the test of time.

Having my novels published is a dream come true.

Just for me - obviously, not all writers think this - but for me, I feel like seeing my book in Target and Barnes & Noble is pretty successful.

I published 'Rules of Civility' while I was still working. It became a best seller. I was working on this book, and then I decided to retire.

The idea of being published was such an abstract thing in the beginning. It wasn't even an option in my mind.

I'm hoping to have a ninth decade like Matisse's.

If I end up having a novel that sells really well and that allows me to pay for health insurance and mortgage without having to work at a day job, that would be great.

My first novel was a critical success in a matter of weeks.