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John Edgar Wideman Quotes

Writer

John Edgar Wideman is an American writer renowned for his profound social commentary and literary achievements. His works often explore issues of race, class, and identity, particularly focusing on the experiences of African Americans.

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All People Thinking Book Way Language Writing Dream Ifs Trying Past Stills World African American Basketball Father Fighting Giving Hell Horrible Knows

Famous John Edgar Wideman Quotes

“I don't write books because I have answers. I write books because I have questions. What we are is the questions that we ask, not the answers that we provide. It's all about the process of self-examination. I think that's what the best writing always contains.”

Thinking Writing Book Self Asks Process Answers Examination Self-examination

Author:John Edgar Wideman

“Remember that a book is many drafts - mine certainly are. It's improvisation. It's as much jazz and the way we talk and the way I heard people preach coming up as it is writing.”

People Way Writing Book Remember Heard Mines Jazz Improvisation

Author:John Edgar Wideman

“Hell, I'm going to play pro basketball. I'm going to maybe be famous. I'm going to write books.”

Writing Book Play Hell Basketball

Author:John Edgar Wideman

“When I'm writing, I'm thinking, "Well, this might be a book that I'll always be happy with, and certainly readers will be happy with." But another part of me knows that when I'm past the stage of writing, the book is gonna have good things about it, bad things about it - probably more bad than good. I just know that. That's who I am.”

Thinking Knows Writing Wells Book Might Past Stage Reader Good Things Who I Am Bad Things Always Be Happy

Author:John Edgar Wideman

“I'm still divided in my principles and what I think is right and what I'm actually able to do, whether talking about writing or being a citizen or being a husband or being a father. And I'm trying to get better.”

Thinking Writing Trying Stills Able Father Talking Principles Citizens Husband Get Better Divided Being A Father

Author:John Edgar Wideman

“Good writing is always about things that are important to you, things that are scary to you, things that eat you up.”

Writing Important Scary Good Writing

Book:Conversations with John Edgar Wideman

Source: Conversations with John Edgar Wideman

About the Author

Born: June 14, 1941
Known for: Writer
Quotes: 49

Books & Sources

Conversations with John Edgar WidemanRelated source material

The Cattle KillingRelated source material

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