The worst superstition is to consider our own tolerable. – Doris Lessing
I dont know much about creative writing programs. But theyre not telling the truth if they dont teach, one, that writing is hard work, and, two, that you have to give up a great deal of life, your personal life, to be a writer. – Doris Lessing
It is the mark of great people to treat trifles as trifles and important matters as important. – Doris Lessing
You cannot escape the fact that women mould your first five years, whether you like it or not. And I cant say I do like it very much. – Doris Lessing
Whenever a taboo is broken, something good happens, something vitalizing. Taboos after all are only hangovers, the product of diseased minds, you might say, of fearsome people who hadnt the courage to live and who under the guise of morality and religion have imposed these things upon us. – Henry Miller
I dont hate humanity and Im not interested in people who do. Although, its funny, actually, some of my favorite writers really do. Like Martin Amis. My dirty secret. London Fields is one of my favorite books ever. And its indefensible! But hes so funny… I forgive him everything. – Elizabeth Gilbert