Books Quote by Ottessa Moshfegh
“I don't remember reading much at all during the writing of Eileen. I go through several years-long dry spells and I don't feel like reading at all. I was working part-time for a guy in Venice, California while I drafted Eileen. He wanted help in writing his memoir. The research had a lot to do with the 60s, so that must have informed my sense of the place and time in my novel, and perhaps even the memoir point-of-view. He was also from New England. It was a fun job. I learned a lot about motorcycle clubs, Charles Manson, hopping freight trains.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Paris Review, 2022
The author describes a period of low reading and creative dry spells while drafting her novel, noting how a side job researching a 1960s memoir informed her work.
In simple terms: She struggled to read while writing, but a part-time job gave her useful cultural insights.
Key Takeaway
Embrace unconventional research to enrich creative work.
Themes
creativity
research
dry_spells
inspiration
novel_writing
Mood
reflective
introspective
informative
Type
personal_anecdote
creative_process
learning_experience
When to use this quote
- writing a novel
- part-time research job
- exploring subcultures
- gaining historical perspective
Key Concepts
cultural_historical_context
personal_experience
learning_by_doing
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance reading with active research?
- What alternative sources can inspire your writing?
A Different Perspective
Low reading may limit exposure to diverse ideas, potentially narrowing perspective.
![“What's inspiring me the most [is] injustice. My own growth as a member of the human race, in terms of the veils being lifted, seeing more of the beauty and also the horror. A sense of my own purpose in this life. Love...” quote by Ottessa Moshfegh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/58d/ottessa-moshfegh-8200_growth_what-s-inspiring-me-the-most-is-injustic_380747.jpg)
