First person narrative is a very effective tool but you have to know as a writer how to make it work. — James McBride Copy Share Image
There has to be some mystery in life, because the joy of being a writer and the joy of being a musician… — James McBride Copy Share Image
If you're going to cheat and take people's history and you're not writing the Bible, you ain't really so great. But if… — James McBride Copy Share Image
If you're a creative person, you'd better not read what people write about you, because if it's good it'll blow your head… — James McBride Copy Share Image
I'm one of the few Black writers, or African American writers, who managed to work my way through the system so that… — James McBride Copy Share Image
I can write anywhere really. I have a hard time writing when the birds are tweeting and the brooks are running outside.… — James McBride Copy Share Image
The act of choosing what to place in your piece when you're a historian or a non-fiction writer already renders it into… — James McBride Copy Share Image
Music and writing do fold together in the sense that you have to have a certain level of skill in order to… — James McBride Copy Share Image
I'm a better musician now, and I rarely practice because age has taught me the value of economy. And I think I'm… — James McBride Copy Share Image
You know what needs to be done when you're a writer. You know what the job is, particularly if you're an African… — James McBride Copy Share Image
The basic thing is to be humble, and pretend you're a bartender in the tavern of life. Don't get too comfortable and… — James McBride Copy Share Image
Some things in this world just ain't meant to be, not in the times we want 'em to, and the heart has to hold… — James McBride Copy Share Image
There are some really great books that have been written about slavery, but I don't think that the discourse about it in society has… — James McBride Copy Share Image
There are two responses to really awful things. One is to lament and say, "Oh my God, oh lord." And the other is to… — James McBride Copy Share Image
If you're going to cheat and take people's history and you're not writing the Bible, you ain't really so great. But if you try… — James McBride Copy Share Image
“Most cars drove through there because the drivers is either from The Bottom and wanna get home - or they ain't from The Bottom… — James McBride Copy Share Image
There has to be some mystery in life, because the joy of being a writer and the joy of being a musician is the… — James McBride Copy Share Image
“And when James asked what color God was, she said, God is the color of water.” — James McBride Copy Share Image
I'm proud of 'Miracle at St. Anna' and I loved it; there's no question in my mind it's as good as any movie that… — James McBride Copy Share Image
“back,” Daddy said. “It’ll work out.” He had no idea what to do about Helen. They spoke a completely different language. He was an… — James McBride Copy Share Image
I'm one of the few Black writers, or African American writers, who managed to work my way through the system so that it has… — James McBride Copy Share Image
