Books Quote by Lydia Davis

One thing you learn about the novel as a form is that it's always smarter than you are.

— Zadie Smith

Before trying a novel I wrote a couple of plays.

— James Merrill

Every book changes my writing because I'm always trying to do something I didn't do before. I try to do what's hard for me,…

— Sandra Cisneros

In general, each form is a relief from the other forms. I can't write a novel after a novel. I just use up all…

— Rick Moody

I've never discovered the idea for my next novel while I was still working on the current novel. Other writers don't suffer this.

— James Thayer

I'm always working on my next novel, even when I'm not.

— George Pelecanos

The process of rewriting is enjoyable, because you're not in that existential panic when you don't have a novel at all.

— Rose Tremain

Often, the fact that I haven't done something as a writer is all the reason I need to try it.

— Jess Walter

Novel-writing is a bit like deception. You lie as little as you possibly can. That's the way I do it, anyway.

— Joseph O'Neill

Each time, I think I'm never going to write another book. It never gets easier.

— Sarah Dessen

Whenever I write a novel, I have a strong sense that I am doing something I was unable to do before. With each new…

— Haruki Murakami

I never know as a writer when I set out into a novel where it's going to take me.

— Kim Edwards