David Leavitt Quotes

“When one writer tries to silence another, he silences every writer-and in the end he also silences himself.”

“It is life that hurts you not death.”

“Everything they've said is tainted now. Every day was a lie.”

“He said focus. The word focus. I hear angels singing. Everything goes dark except for a light that beams down on Sean. It is a God-given sign- like when people see the Virgin Mary in their grilled cheese, except this isn't religious and I'm actually not a big fan of dairy. I stare at the back of his head. His HEAD. Something I see every day but never really see because it's been there forever. Since the first day of third grade.I crumple up my web. I don't need it. Praise be, the Focus Gods have spoken.I am going to write about Sean Griswold's Head.”

“I love real books, paper books, but I also love buying online, and I think that people are more willing to take a chance to read something if it's cheaper - sometimes books on the Kindle are $6. A hardback book is $25. For $25, it better be a really great book. Or you're going to be mad.”

“I was a bookworm who aced every test - until third grade, when my teacher handed out a pop quiz about Jesus and the Apostles.”

“A title means marketing. It means that company's coming soon, and you'd better get out the Christmas lights so they don't miss your house.”

“Novels are forged in passion, demand fidelity and commitment, often drive you to boredom or rage, sleep with you at night.”

“Susie: Doesn't it make you feel kind of awesome that the world is beautiful for no other apparent reason than that it is? Like beauty has its own secret reason. It doesn't need human eyes to notice. It just wants to be glorious and unbelievable.”

“People don't ask for facts in making up their minds. They would rather have one good soul-satisfying emotion than a dozen facts.”