The first book is the book you have to write to get back at your parents; the book you always had in you. Once you get that out of your way, you can start writing books, — Shirley Jackson Copy Share Image
I can't help it when people are frightened," says Merricat. "I always want to frighten them more. — Shirley Jackson Copy Share Image
“She could not remember ever being truly happy in her adult life; her years with her mother had been built up devotedly around small… — Shirley Jackson Copy Share Image
“Upstairs Margaret said abruptly, 'I suppose it starts to happen first in the suburbs,' and when Brad said, 'What starts to happen?' she said… — Shirley Jackson Copy Share Image
“The beautiful clarity of all marked outlines occurred to her--there would be a deep satisfaction in strengthening fences, for instance, going along on the… — Shirley Jackson Copy Share Image
“And we held each other in the dark hall and laughed, with the tears running down our cheeks and echoes of our laughter going… — Shirley Jackson Copy Share Image
“Why do people want to talk to each other? I mean, what are the things people always want to find out about other people?” — Shirley Jackson Copy Share Image
Within, walls continued upright, bricks met neatly, floors were firm, and doors were sensibly shut; silence lay steadily against the wood and stone of… — Shirley Jackson Copy Share Image
“It was as though the people needed the ugliness of the village, and fed on it. The houses and the stores seemed to have… — Shirley Jackson Copy Share Image
“Eleanor—“I plan to stay up and read for a while.” “Are you still reading Pamela?” Eleanor asked the doctor. “Volume two. I have three… — Shirley Jackson Copy Share Image
February, when the days of winter seem endless and no amount of wistful recollecting can bring back any air of summer. — Shirley Jackson Copy Share Image
“it’s quite a hazard, quite a hazard indeed, people knocking you down. Still, it’s a genuine pleasure to find one as willing as you… — Shirley Jackson Copy Share Image
On the moon we have everything. Lettuce, and pumpkin pie and Amanita phalloides. We have cat-furred plants and horses dancing with their wings. All… — Shirley Jackson Copy Share Image
She walked quickly around her one-room apartment. After more than four years in this one home she knew all its possibilities, how it could… — Shirley Jackson Copy Share Image
I very much dislike writing about myself or my work, and when pressed for autobiographical material can only give a bare chronological outline which… — Shirley Jackson Copy Share Image
