Mary Gaitskill Quotes

Writing is my primary way of expressing myself.

I tend to write it and then let go emotionally.

When you drive, you are doing several things at once. You are using your eyes, ears, hands, your mind. If you have meditated for many years and have reached a lofty height in your meditation, as I have, you can meditate while running and cycling and painting.

Writing is a dreadful labor, yet not so dreadful as Idleness.

Sometimes I journal three pages, sometimes I journal thirty pages, but I'm writing all the time, and whatever's happening is happening in real time for me.

I never look at other people's work. My mind has to be completely focused on my own illusions.

I'm a writer, not a professional runner. It's fun and it helps me write. I need powerful concentration.

Writing is a workout, just like going for a run!

To say that I have an undisciplined mind would not be incorrect overall, but it's a little off the mark because I have great discipline when I write - but only for about ten minutes.

I love to write. It's my first love.

I had tried to get focused on other things. But I always ended up back in the same place, and it wasn't making me happy. I needed to get the focus back.

The reason I write is that I'm not in dialogue with my emotions; writing puts me in touch with myself.

Writing helps me process things that are happening to me.

I'm less desperate now to express what's inside me, that's true - I act these days because it keeps me awake and interested, an eternal student.

I can concentrate on my art.

In the beginning, when I was trying to write, I couldn't turn off the outside world to the extent that I can now.

Writing has always helped me to make sense of difficult things.

I enjoyed entertaining people since I was a little girl. There was nothing better than making people laugh. That, and the need to express myself in a safe environment.

I like to write, and I try to be positive and optimistic.

You could have all the tools in the world, but if you really don't want to be there, or if there's something that's off course that's playing on your mind... the game of golf is so mental, and if you don't have everything in the right order, it's very difficult to win golf tournaments.

It's hard for me to feel bad when I'm writing well.

I love writing. Writing has been very good to me.

In real life, I'm not the center of attention; I'm in the back, and I listen. So when it comes to writing, I just let it all out.

I can't imagine a world where I wouldn't have the means of expression. When I talk to people who don't, it seems like they're really unhappy.

It's just that I can write something nice is what motivates me.