Erskine Caldwell

To me there is no such thing as creative writing. It's either good writing, whatever the subject, or it's not creative.

— Erskine Caldwell

“All you boys seem to think about is the things you can see and touch—that ain’t living. It’s the things you can…

— Erskine Caldwell

I was not a writer to begin with; I was a listener.

— Erskine Caldwell

Influence is a very tenuous matter. I try to avoid it in every respect. I don't want to be influenced by anybody.

— Erskine Caldwell

I'm not interested in plots. I'm interested only in the characterization of people and what they do.

— Erskine Caldwell

I think acceptance of human rights is going to progress from one day to the next. I don't think there's going to…

— Erskine Caldwell

“You don't love Buck. If you did, you'd have four kids by now. Wouldn't you? Now wouldn't you? A woman like you...”

— Erskine Caldwell

Many Southern writers must have learned the art of storytelling from listening to oral tales. I did. It gave me the knowledge…

— Erskine Caldwell

I think you must remember that a writer is a simple-minded person to begin with and go on that basis. He's not…

— Erskine Caldwell