Donna Tartt Quotes

We tend to read each other's books in sizeable chunks as they are written. I don't know that you could say we are ruthless with each other - in fact, I suppose we are very kind. There are ways to make suggestions which are not destructive.

Comparing oneself with one's fellow writers is a bad idea. I would not review a fellow writer unless I had something terribly positive to say.

If critics want to help me, let them come sit next to me while I'm writing.

Instead of spreading antagonism or hate, try to make a positive remark about something.

Criticism should not be querulous and wasting, all knife and root-puller, but guiding, instructive, inspiring, a south wind, not an east wind.

I want to try the impossible to show that it can be done.

I know what it's like to start something and have it suddenly grow out of control. And you want to get rid of it, because it's hurting you and everyone else around you, but every time you try to do that, it consumes you again.

If you love people you criticize them, and if you don't love them you don't criticize them, you let them go to hell, don't you? To help any kind of friendship, your marriage, your children, you criticize because you love.

I've got the 30 drive right now. You turn 30, I don't know, life is exciting again; thirties is when you've got it all figured out. You start reaching some of your goals, and achieving some great things.

Be clear on where you are and where you want to go and you will get there. It can be the best year of your life.

There is a Sufi trend, a madhabi Sufi trend, and I don't have any problem with this. What is not acceptable is that, first, some scholars are trying to show to the audience that they are open to other trends. However, when it comes to the retreat or the panels, they don't want to be with some of us because they are scared of being exposed.

I want to communicate with people, and I want to make something that works, and that people like. I'm never purposefully trying to be antagonistic or shocking or anything that would push an audience away. I'm always hoping to reach as many people as I can.

I'm not interested in trying to have people who might like other kinds of music follow me. I don't want to please them.

He didn't want to please his readers. He wanted to stretch them until they twanged.

I don't want to sound like a heroic woman or to seem full of myself, but I do have a core of trust that I'll figure things out and find my way. And if whatever I try is not a good experience, even that is a good experience. If something turns out lousy, it's interesting.

I don't want to be Oprah [Winfrey], I'm not trying to be Barbara Walters, but we can all do better.

The phrase you usually hear after a cut is "That was great. Perhaps we could have another go. Maybe try it this way." Even that much direction is prefaced with a lot of praise and encouragement. It's quite like how you deal with toddlers: positive reinforcement, and then a little suggestion that you might want to try something different. Roman Polanski will stop the take and shout, "No, no, no!" Which is somewhat alarming the first time it happens.

I always try to be open to whatever the universe wants from me.

...decide for yourself what makes you truly happy and then organize your life around it. Write down your goals and make plans to achieve them.

I do want to direct, eventually. I don't know if it will be a short film or a music video or a feature, but I know that I want to at least try it and see.

If you want to be successful, you are going to have to deal with pressure.

I've always believed that if you want to really try and make a great film, not a good film, but a great film, you have to take a lot of risks.

I want to make sure that we, as a nation, stay unified because that's how we're going to achieve our missions.

What people can dream, people can do.

Actual patriotism has to do with loving a place enough to try and improve it.