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Elinor Lipman Quotes

Novelist

Elinor Lipman is an American novelist born on October 16, 1950. Her works are known for their humor and insightful social commentary, exploring the lives, careers, and interpersonal relationships of modern women.

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All Five People School Television Writing Adults Aim Balls Basketball Basketball Team

Famous Elinor Lipman Quotes

“That's how it was on Irving Circle and how I was raised: You made the best out of what was within reach, which meant friendships engineered by parents and by the happenstance of housing. I stayed with it because we both had queenly older sisters who rarely condescended to play with us, because Shelley was adopted and I was not, because Shelley had Clue and Life, and I did not”

Friendship Making Do

Book:The Inn at Lake Devine

Source: The Inn at Lake Devine

“I was nearly fired from my second job, which was writing press releases for Boston's public television station.”

Writing Jobs Television Presses Release Stations Boston Press Release

Author:Elinor Lipman

“I watch golf on television, although I don't golf - except for visits to the driving range in spurts.”

Watches Television Golf Driving Range

Author:Elinor Lipman

“I wear a pedometer, aiming for five miles a day - don't be too impressed; that includes walking around my house and food shopping.”

House Five Walking Miles Shopping Impressed

Author:Elinor Lipman

“My narrators tend to be women with low self-esteem, so I can send them to charm school.”

I Can Self School Self Esteem Lows Esteem Charm Low Self Esteem Narrators

Author:Elinor Lipman

“An early editor characterized my books as 'romantic comedy for intelligent adults.' I think people see them as funny but kind. I don't set out to write either funny or kind, but it's a voice they like, quirky like me... And you know, people like happy endings.”

People Thinking Knows Writing Kind Book Voice Comedy Adults Intelligent Like Me Editors Happy Endings Quirky

Author:Elinor Lipman

“Five hundred words a day is what I aim for. And I don't go on to the next chapter until I've polished and polished and polished the one I'm working on.”

Next Five Goes On Hundred Aim Chapters Polished Next Chapter

Author:Elinor Lipman

“It was a noteworthy lesson, even for someone who'd been fed a daily diet of italicized lessons: that people in high places, luminaries with advanced degrees in Classics and in possession of excellent manners, can disappoint you as profoundly as anyone else.”

People Lessons Degrees Possession Manners Excellent Diets Feds Disappoint High Places

Book:My Latest Grievance

Source: My Latest Grievance

“I was a roving guard on the Lowell Hebrew Community Center's girls' basketball team all through high school. My specialty was stealing the ball, but my only shot was a lay-up.”

School Girl Community Team Basketball High School Shots Balls Lays Stealing Hebrew Basketball Team Specialty Roving Community Centers

Author:Elinor Lipman

About the Author

Born: October 16, 1950
Known for: Novelist
Quotes: 9

Books & Sources

My Latest GrievanceRelated source material

The Inn at Lake DevineRelated source material

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