Norman Mailer Quotes

It may be important to write a book that doesn't come up to what I would like to have rather than to write no book at all.

I found some time ago that I have to be careful, while working on a novel, what I read.

I wrote a piece for the school literary magazine that now makes me think: 'My God in Heaven, this is just the worst drivel.'

I'm so focused on trying to craft the story that I'm in my own little world with it and that process. The one reader I'm trying to please as I write is me, and I'm pretty difficult to please.

When it comes to lyrics, I just write down a lot of things, and only a very tiny fraction of it, I think, is any good.

I once read Updike after writing a first draft, and I wanted to put my own book on the fire. I've since learned to read utter crap while I'm writing: pulp is the thing.

I am never really surprised at the way my books take shape. They are just not as perfect as I'd like them to be.

I feel sorry for people who have to edit me. Which is why book writing is by far the most enjoyable. Really the only thing it's based on is whether it's good or not. No book editor, in my experience, is getting a manuscript and try to rewrite it.

I've written 16 children's books and five unpublished novels. Some of the latter were breathtakingly bad.

I read what I write over and over and make corrections and improvements, until I reach the conclusion that the material deserves to stand on its own.

When I write a book, I'm making it the best book I can.

A novelist can never be his own reader, except when he is ridding his manuscript of syntax errors, repetitions, or the occasional superfluous paragraph.

Sit down and put down everything that comes into your head and then you're a writer. But an author is one who can judge his own stuff's worth, without pity, and destroy most of it.

It is important for poets and writers today to know their shortcomings, and be able to edit their own work as well as reject them if they are not up to their standards.

I write the best book that I can write each time.

During the day, if I don't have any other commitments, I'm usually at my desk writing, revising, or researching anywhere from four to six hours.

I'm not a writer who refuses to talk about a book until I've finished.

If writers, like comedians or singers, could only hear themselves bombing as they worked, it's likely that certain books would be cut short after the first few leaden sentences.

You write a lot of books; you hope you get better.

Oh how I wish I could be as obsessive as Carrie from 'Homeland' when I'm writing a book! That would save me a lot of trouble during the revision process.

I started out as a novelist and wrote several novels before deciding to publish one, and I fully intend to go back to the form.

After finishing a draft, no matter how rough, I almost always put it aside for a while. It doesn't matter if it's a story or a novel, I find that when it's still fresh in my mind I'm either thoroughly sick of its flaws or completely blind to them. Either way, I'm unable to make substantive edits of any value.

Be prepared to fall out of love with your words. I'm still too verbose at times.

I try very hard to write the best book I possibly can, every time.

My writing is progressing slowly, but at least it's moving forward. I'm sure that's the case. The only problem is that I'm never absolutely certain that what I've written is any good.