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Joan Didion Quotes

American - Author | December 5, 1934 -

I could talk more directly in a nonfiction voice than I could in fiction.

Voice Talk More Fiction Nonfiction

Nonfiction is more personal for me. It's more personal in that it's more direct, and actually it's always been more direct, even when I first started doing pieces.

Me Doing Personal More First Always

I'm totally in control of this tiny, tiny world right there at the typewriter.

Control World Right Typewriter Tiny

You think you have some stable talent that will show no matter what you're writing, and if it doesn't seem to be getting across to the audience once, you can't imagine that moment when it suddenly will. Gradually, gradually you gain that confidence.

Confidence Moment Talent Writing You

I was raised an Episcopalian. And I did not and I don't believe that anyone is looking out for me personally.

Me Looking Believe Out I Was Raised

Strength is one of those things you're supposed to have. You don't feel that you have it at the time you're going through it.

Strength Time Feel You Things Going

I am always writing to myself.

Myself I Am Writing Always Am

What's so hard about that first sentence is that you're stuck with it. Everything else is going to flow out of that sentence. And by the time you've laid down the first two sentences, your options are all gone.

Time You Down Flow First Hard

I start a book and I want to make it perfect, want it to turn every color, want it to be the world. Ten pages in, I've already blown it, limited it, made it less, marred it. That's very discouraging. I hate the book at that point.

Hate World Start Book Color Perfect

Although a novel takes place in the larger world, there's always some drive in it that is entirely personal - even if you don't know it while you're doing it.

World Drive Doing You Place Know

I think we are well advised to keep on nodding terms with the people we used to be, whether we find them attractive company or not. Otherwise they turn up unannounced and surprise us, come hammering on the mind's door at 4 A.M. of a bad night and demand to know who deserted them, who betrayed them, who is going to make amends.

People Mind Door Night Think Bad

We look for the sermon in the suicide, for the social or moral lesson in the murder of five. We interpret what we see, select the most workable of the multiple choices.

Choices Suicide Lesson Look Moral

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