I had this bad habit of not writing out a first draft and going back. For me it was the first sentence, then the second sentence, and I might be several weeks on the first page instead of writing a… — Donald Ray Pollock Copy Share Image
When I started graduate school we did this publishing class where we learned about submitting and read interviews with editors from different magazines. A lot of them said they got so many submissions that unless the first page stuck out… — Donald Ray Pollock Copy Share Image
“Strangers complained about the stench, but the locals liked to brag that it was the sweet smell of money.” — Donald Ray Pollock Copy Share Image
I don't really think the outburst is recent; there have always been writers in Appalachia. — Donald Ray Pollock Copy Share Image
Unless he had whiskey running through his veins, Willard came to the clearing every morning and evening to talk to God. Arvin didn't know… — Donald Ray Pollock Copy Share Image
For example, if it's a sad scene, I need to feel that way, at least to a slight degree and for a short while,… — Donald Ray Pollock Copy Share Image
As for how I feel about any success I've had, I just feel extremely lucky. Writing is a tough racket, and there are a… — Donald Ray Pollock Copy Share Image
Part of the reason might be that I was born in 1954 and I look upon my youth with great fondness, like many old… — Donald Ray Pollock Copy Share Image
I've never heard of that anthology [Vance Randolph, Pissing in the Snow], but you can be sure I'll buy it now. — Donald Ray Pollock Copy Share Image
When I first started out, I was trying to write stories about nurses and lawyers and a lot of people I didn't know anything… — Donald Ray Pollock Copy Share Image
“It's hard to live a good life...It seems like the Devil don't ever let up.” — Donald Ray Pollock Copy Share Image
I'm not sure what the proper label might be, or the most accurate one, but someone once called my stuff Southern Ohio Gothic and… — Donald Ray Pollock Copy Share Image
Don't get me wrong: I think that everyone should put forth an effort to do better, but let's face it, some of us are… — Donald Ray Pollock Copy Share Image
I look upon [writing about religion] as a nice way to get by in this precarious world, though I've never been able to do… — Donald Ray Pollock Copy Share Image
![“I've never heard of that anthology [Vance Randolph, Pissing in the Snow], but you can be sure I'll buy it now.” quote by Donald Ray Pollock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ed3/donald-ray-pollock-7796_anthology_i-ve-never-heard-of-that-anthology-vance_202258.jpg)
![“I look upon [writing about religion] as a nice way to get by in this precarious world, though I've never been able to do it myself.” quote by Donald Ray Pollock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1a5/donald-ray-pollock-7796_able_i-look-upon-writing-about-religion-as-a_316097.jpg)