Activity Quote by Jane Smiley

Writing novels is a way of living alternative lives.

— Melvyn Bragg

Writing a novel is like building a wall brick by brick; only amateurs believe in inspiration.

— Frank Yerby

I'm not the most prolific writer in the world, and, sadly, writing a novel involves a lot of effort.

— Tibor Fischer

A professional writer is an amateur who didn't quit.

— Richard Bach

Sometimes I ask myself if writing novels is even respectable.

— Lorrie Moore

I don't think I would do better books if I wrote full time. I write for amateurish reasons.

— Upamanyu Chatterjee

I'm a professional. So before I published any novels, I'd always been writing stories.

— Jess Walter

Writing a novel that works is an extremely difficult thing to do. It requires a level of skill and dedication that always surprises me.

— Bret Easton Ellis

A professional writer is someone who writes just as well when they're not inspired as when they are.

— Philip Pullman

I really enjoy writing novels. Its like the ocean. You can just build a boat and take off.

— Denis Johnson

I really enjoy writing novels. It's like the ocean. You can just build a boat and take off.

— Denis Johnson

Writing is a combination of intangible creative fantasy and appallingly hard work.

— Anthony Powell