“When I look at life I try to be as agnostic and unmetaphysical as possible. So I have to admit that, most probably, we do not have a fate. But I think that's something that draws us to novels - that the characters always have a fate. Even if it's a terrible fate, at least they have one.” IfsThinkingTryingLooksCharacterNovelFateTerribleDrawsAgnostic Author:Daniel Kehlmann
“We think in terms of fate even if we don't believe in it. Even something as trivial as missing the bus - we think: Well, it might be good for something. We always have that thought, no matter how critical we try to be. The idea that everything is always total chance - we're not made for that.” IfsThinkingTryingBelieveWellsMadeIdeasMatterMightTermChanceFateMissingDon't BelieveCriticalBe GoodBus Author:Daniel Kehlmann
“I think that's just what happens when you write a big bestseller. After that you need to find out: What's the best way to go on? And the worst thing you could do would be to try to repeat the formula. That would be suffocating.” ThinkingWayNeedsWritingTryingBigsHappensWould BeWorstGoes OnBest WayRepeatsFormulasWorst ThingsSuffocating Author:Daniel Kehlmann
“I'm trying to exploit the bestseller, in a way, but not in the sense of repeating the formula. It's just that the bestseller did so well economically that now I'm freer to do what I want to do, or to try out what I want to try out.” WayWantTryingWellsFormulasExploits Author:Daniel Kehlmann
