Zadie Smith Quotes

I think I just say what I'm thinking. And - you know, if people relate to it, they relate to it, but - I really - you know, if you really listen to me, I don't have my finger on any pulse.

I wanted to be my own editor, and by 'editor,' I mean unedited-or.

What is it in us that makes us feel the need to keep pretending... we gotta let ourselves be.

I try and write the way things happen. I don't try and fulfill people's wishes.

I don't have to put on a front. If I had to, it would be difficult and tiring.

We don't typically use music. We don't manipulate our audience into what we think it should feel. We tell the truth. That's 'Southland' Style'... and I love it!

I just write songs from the heart, and you never know who'll like the songs. I try to make sure that I don't allow anybody's expectation to weigh on me. I have my own expectation of life. I believe in letting people be free.

You find yourself writing the truth, because it's like, 'Well, I ain't writing for anyone but myself anyway.'

The experience of writing under a pseudonym was tremendously liberating; I could write what I wanted.

I don't filter things really.

I say what's in my head, and I'm on honest ground. That is worth so much, and I think it does make my job, as a writer, easier. It makes it possible for me to give people stuff that they like.

Whatever it is that I feel, I express it! I am free with my joy, my laughter, my pleasure, my pain, and I am blessed in that way as an actress that I can access those feelings within myself and not be ashamed to show whatever that is that's appropriate for the character.

I think theatre to some extent is always about telling stories, isn't it, and I think what I've learned is that freedom comes when you tell your story; freedom comes when you tell the truth.

I think that people respond to honesty in music, so I only choose songs that are the truth for me.

Music to me is about being honest, and it's what I've always pictured music as. I don't see the point of expressing yourself if you are going to be cryptic about it.

You can try to reach an audience, but you just write what comes out of you and you just hope that it is accepted. You do not write specifically to a generation.

I've given myself permission to say whatever's on my mind when I'm on stage.

It's very nice to be able to write something you don't have to get four other people to agree with before it can become authoritative.

I'm very free with all my emotions, whether it's happy, sad, mad, glad, whatever.

I never have an intended audience. I just write, you know.

I almost envy people who say whatever they want.

Write your story as it needs to be written. Write it honestly, and tell it as best you can. I'm not sure that there are any other rules. Not ones that matter.

I think it's better when you're natural, when you just do whatever you want, instead of doing classes where I see all these other people holding back because they've been trained with certain skills or techniques. I'm like, whatever.

Sometimes, being a feminist artist, there are times where I'm in a position where I just want to feel like I'm saying all the right things politically, or I feel like I have to mention my own project over other people's projects. But I don't do that anymore. I just want to be off the cuff and honest.

I give myself the luxury of saying what I want.