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Quote by Will Self

“Continuous present is all we have, and stream of consciousness - which in a novel is arguably just as artificial as the stilted dialogue that you get in most conventional novels. They're all stratagems to try to get closer to the texture of lived life.”

Quote by Will Self

Author

Will Self is a British author known for his distinctive style and sharp wit. His works span across various genres including novels, non-fiction, short stories, and plays. Born on September 26, 1961, Self's writing often delves into the complexities of modern society and the darker aspects of human nature. more

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“For myself, I haven't been content to carry on producing books that merely strain against the conventions - as I've grown older, and realised that there aren't that many books left for me to write, so I've become determined that they should be the fictive equivalent of ripping the damn corset off altogether and chucking it on the fire.”

Should Writing Book Left Fire Havens Determined Damn Conventions Strain Realised Corsets

Author:Will Self

“From time to time, as if heaven-sent to annoy, someone will ask me if I'm self-disciplined when it comes to my work. I usually look witheringly at them and snarl, 'What do you think?' I mean, how do you imagine anyone writes a quarter of a million words a year for publication?”

Ifs Thinking Writing Years Looks Mean Self Asks Heaven Millions Imagine Ask Me Quarters Annoying Publication Heaven Sent

Author:Will Self

“Freedom would be not to choose between black and white but to abjure such prescribed choices.”

Would Be Choices Black White Black And White Uncommitted

Book:Minima Moralia: Reflections on a Damaged Life

Source: Minima Moralia: Reflections on a Damaged Life

“I always wanted to write fiction. Always. As far back as I can remember it's been integral to my sense of myself - everything else was always a displacement activity.”

Writing I Can Wanted Remember Fiction Activity Displacement

Author:Will Self

“I am a regular if not exactly enthusiastic patron of my local bookshop. I try to buy at least some books there because I cling to the belief that it's important to maintain those businesses which put a human face on the exchange of money for goods and services.”

Ifs Trying Humans Important Book Faces Belief Locals Goods Enthusiastic Patron Goods And Services Human Faces Bookshops

Author:Will Self

“I don't think in terms of that bizarre tautology 'value for money' in my literary and journalistic work - and nor will I in my academic role. However, if I don't believe I'm helping my students towards a fuller and more empowering relationship with the world, then I'll resign.”

Ifs Thinking World Believe Helping Values Term Roles Students Don't Believe Empowering Academic Bizarre Journalistic Tautology

Author:Will Self

“I think I now understand why it is that the young are so very nostalgic. They have so little by way of personal history that they polish it up and make it shine like a treasured heirloom.”

Thinking Way Littles Young Shining Polish Nostalgic Treasured Personal History Heirlooms

Author:Will Self

“I write as someone who has no more time for repressive Islam than he does for repressive Christianity or Judaism, but at least look at the face in the hijab - and try to imagine the one beneath the niqab - before you depersonalise its wearer.”

Writing Trying Looks Doe Faces Christianity Imagine Islam More Time Judaism Hijab Niqab

Author:Will Self

“I'd rather fiddle with my phone for precious seconds than neglect an apostrophe; I'd rather insert a word laboriously keyed out than resort to predictive texting for a - acceptable to some - synonym.”

Phones Neglect Seconds Acceptable Resorts Texting Fiddle Insert Synonym

Author:Will Self

“I'm very happy for whatever plaudits might come the way of my work, but I never ever sit down to write x with y in view - whether it's a reader, a prize or a sale.”

Way Writing Might Views Reader Prize Very Happy

Author:Will Self