[On the writers she admires:] I prefer dead writers…

I prefer dead writers because you don't run into them at parties.

— Fran Lebowitz

I do tend to feel more connected to dead writers, perhaps because they have finished their work.

— Helen Oyeyemi

We who are quotatious are never truly alone, but always hear the cheerful flow of remarks made by dead writers so much more intelligent…

— Joseph Epstein

“Y’know, I kind of prefer it when the dead stay dead.’ ‘Pot. Kettle. Black,’ Owen said. ‘Yeah,’ agreed Jack with a shrug. ‘The difference…

— Trevor Baxendale

I think if my child died I would prefer it if I were dead.

— Saoirse Ronan

“If/when I die, do not want Pam lonely. Want her to remarry, have full life. As long as new husband is nice guy. Gentle…

— George Saunders

I don't think you could get anything worse than losing a child. I think if my child died, I would prefer it if I…

— Saoirse Ronan

The companionship of dead writers is a wonderful form of live friendship.

— Julian Barnes

“Some one said: "The dead writers are remote from us because we know so much more than they did." Precisley, and they are that…

— T.S Eliot

Someone said, 'The dead writers are remote from us because we know so much more than they did.' Precisely, and they are that which…

— Anonymous

You're...writing for other writers to an extent-the dead writers whose work you admire, as well as the living writers you like to read.

— Raymond Carver

Do they sense it, these dead writers, when their books are read? Does a pinprick of light appear in their darkness? Is their soul…

— Diane Setterfield

“As one tends to the graves of the dead, so I tend the books. I clean them, do minor repairs, keep them in good…

— Diane Setterfield

I much prefer to work with dead writers, and ones who were writing four hundred years ago.

— Thea Sharrock

“Didn’t we option this one’s spec?” Producer One asks Producer Two, using his Italian-loafered foot to prod the eviscerated writer in question. There’s a…

— Matt Wallace