Contradictory strands create an essay that's richly ambivalent. — Phillip Lopate Ambivalent Copy Share Image
The essay must be artistically rendered: You must keep the reader engaged, whether with wit, conflict, mischief, and/or yes, with honesty. — Phillip Lopate Books Copy Share Image
My other work, teaching, also is satisfying because I can be with people but in controlled circumstances, which aren't as likely to… — Phillip Lopate Because i can Copy Share Image
The essay is a wonderful medium. I might mention that some writers who longed to be novelists were better as essayists: Sontag,… — Phillip Lopate Essayists Copy Share Image
Most good essays are conversations with yourself - not just your decided thoughts but your dilemmas. — Phillip Lopate Communication Copy Share Image
If someone in my family is getting emotionally bent out of shape, I've had to learn to adapt. — Phillip Lopate Bent Copy Share Image
It bothers me when I can't, for example, remember a name. I don't know if it's pre-senility or whether there are too… — Phillip Lopate Bother Copy Share Image
I really do like to write and when I'm not, I think, "Okay, I'll be a good citizen now" but fact is,… — Phillip Lopate Citizens Copy Share Image
The trick is to realize that one is not important, except insofar as one’s example can serve to elucidate a more widespread… — Phillip Lopate Books Copy Share Image
