“My other work, teaching, also is satisfying because I can be with people but in controlled circumstances, which aren't as likely to yield the pain of dealing with family.” PeopleI CanPainTeachingCircumstancesYieldControlledSatisfyingBecause I Can Author:Phillip Lopate
“I really do like to write and when I'm not, I think, "Okay, I'll be a good citizen now" but fact is, that's secondary.” ThinkingWritingFactsCitizensOkayGood Citizen Author:Phillip Lopate
“Domesticity has been a challenge for me but painful as it's been, engaging with family has been a school for reducing solipsism and increasing my understanding of people's different reactions to stress.” PeopleHas BeensDifferentSchoolUnderstandingChallengesStressPainfulReactionsEngagingReducingDomesticitySolipsism Author:Phillip Lopate
“If someone in my family is getting emotionally bent out of shape, I've had to learn to adapt.” IfsShapesMy FamilyBent Author:Phillip Lopate
“For most of my life, I have wanted broad impact but now, at 72, I'm not so sure that's always my first priority.” FirstsWantedImpactPrioritiesBroads Author:Phillip Lopate
“My wife and daughter have accused me of being too silent at breakfast but I don't want to talk when I don't have much to say.” WantWifeDaughterSilentMy WifeBreakfastAccusedWife And Daughter Author:Phillip Lopate
“It bothers me when I can't, for example, remember a name. I don't know if it's pre-senility or whether there are too many names packed in our brains.” IfsKnowsI CanRememberNamesBrainExampleBotherSenility Author:Phillip Lopate
“I've had an enduring appreciation of psychology.” PsychologyEndureAppreciation Author:Phillip Lopate
“I believe the personal essay is underrated for both writer and reader. It affords the writer great freedom: to speak personally yet invoke others' ideas, to be rational and/or emotional, to be confident or admit doubt.” BelieveIdeasSpeakI BelieveDoubtEmotionalReaderRationalEssaysBe ConfidentInvokeUnderratedPersonal EssaysGreat Freedom Author:Marty Nemko