“Whether you're acting or you're writing, your skin is just basically ripped off and you're putting yourself out there. At least the acting part comes with a bit more social interaction. And you're a bit less isolated because you are working with the director and the crew, and there's a general camaraderie. Writing, you're totally isolated. You're just trying to get the words on paper.” WritingTryingSocialBitsActingDirectorsPaperSkinsIsolatedInteractionCrewRippedCamaraderieSocial InteractionPutting Yourself Out ThereWords On Paper Author:Tama Janowitz
“I think in a lot of ways, writing, when you're really in there, is like being an actress because you're in somebody else's head.” ThinkingWayWritingActresses Author:Tama Janowitz
“I think it's more difficult writing what it's like to be a child. You can pretend you know what it's like, but you don't really know. The only parts I can remember is that the adults were like, "Aren't they cute?" But when you're little you're looking at the other kids like they're your colleagues. They're not like, "Oh, we're all cute little kids." They're more like your office acquaintances. It's very hard to grasp the memories of what it actually was like to be a kid.” ThinkingKnowsWritingChildrenLittlesI CanHardKidsRememberDifficultMemoriesLike YouOfficeAdultsCuteColleaguesLittle KidAcquaintance Author:Tama Janowitz
“If you want to be a writer, all you need is a piece of paper and a pencil, and I had a manual typewriter. It doesn't cost money to write. It costs money to make art. So I would just write. I would hand out stories in the classes in high school. And the teacher would say, "Whatever you do, don't become a writer."” IfsWantNeedsWritingArtStoriesHandsSchoolClassTeacherPiecesCostPaperHigh SchoolPencilsTypewritersManuals Author:Tama Janowitz
“Most of my life is just spent lying in bed. I mean, it's enough pressure to write the words. Do I need to use the additional energy exerted by sitting up?” NeedsWritingMeanEnoughUseLife IsLyingEnergyBedSittingPressureSitting Up Author:Tama Janowitz
“I'm writing what I want to write. But it's almost an act of rebellion on my part. Because as a person, I've always wanted to be very likeable, and I think that's a horrible thing, particularly for women. You're always like, "Oh, I hope I didn't hurt anyone's feelings. I hope they like me!" And that's just so stupid.” ThinkingWantWritingPersonsFeelingsWantedHurtStupidHorribleLike MeRebellionHorrible ThingsLikeable Author:Tama Janowitz
“In my writing I wanted to be liked for writing really unlikeable stuff. There were books that people, particularly women, hated so much. They said, "I threw it against the wall!" Which, in my opinion, was a compliment. Because it's very hard to get somebody to throw something.” PeopleWritingSaidBookHardWantedStuffOpinionWallHatedComplimentThey Said Author:Tama Janowitz
“If you want to write about a person who isn't nice, people say, "This is a bad book. It's about somebody I couldn't stand." But that's not the point. You don't have to like a character to like a book. Most of the time, people would misjudge and say, "I didn't like the book." No, you didn't like the character. That doesn't make it any less interesting of a book. In fact, to me, it makes it more interesting.” PeopleIfsWantWritingPersonsBookCharacterFactsInterestingNiceNice People Author:Tama Janowitz
“As a writer, I don't think it's my responsibility to make a point. I just write and hope there's someone who'll like it.” ThinkingWritingResponsibility Author:Tama Janowitz
“Every book I write, the media just keeps punching me in the face.” WritingBookFacesMediaPunching Author:Tama Janowitz
