Writer's Goal Quotes

Good writers have two things in common: they prefer to be understood rather than admired; and they do not write for knowing and over-acute readers.

You want fans to connect to the book, even movie fans. But if your sole purpose is to write towards a certain kind of fan, that way leads madness.

The writer's object is - or should be - to hold the reader's attention.

Of course, you always think about how it will be read. I always aim for a reading in one sitting.

If you want to be a good writer, be the best writer in the world. That's what I've done.

Today there are a lot of novelists who seem to be writing to be reviewed, not read.

I don't want to do the type of writing where I recite biography, parentage and education. I want to rise up from the words on the page and do something, hurt someone.

Crassly put: When I write, I am trying not to bore myself and my readers.

The mark of a writer is to make a story as likely as possible, and I've done my best to deliver authentic atmosphere.

As a writer, I'm always looking for what I call the universal, something everyone has felt and they can identify with. That's the reason for the success of 'All By Myself.' Who in the world hasn't felt that way in some point?

The writer's job is not to write a novel, hold it up and say, “Here I am,” but to write a novel, hold it up and say, “Here YOU are.

I never wanted to be a celebrity writer. I wanted to be a good writer. I'm still trying to be a good writer. That's what gets me out of bed in the morning.

I would imagine that anyone picking up a book written by me would expect a fast-paced story that requires minimal effort to turn the pages. The reader would also be looking for some out-of-the-ordinary revelations along the way. At the end of the day, I'm a writer who simply loves revealing stuff that is out-of-the-ordinary.

Writers write for one reason: to create an emotion in the reader, to reach across and make them feel something. You want a reaction. Yeah, it's nicer when the reaction is to throw flowers than it is to throw brickbats, but you have to accept both equally.

Mr. Franzen said he and Mr. Wallace, over years of letters and conversations about the ethical role of the novelist, had come to the joint conclusion that the purpose of writing fiction was “a way out of loneliness.” (NY Times article on the memorial service of David Foster Wallace.)

The truth is that every writer, whether it's fiction or nonfiction, is trying to write something truly original and that's what I think I'm doing.

I want to write so well that a person is 30 or 40 pages in a book of mine... before she realizes she's reading.

He who does not expect a million readers should not write a line.

The purpose of a writer is to be read, and the criticism which would destroy the power of pleasing must be blown aside

I have no intention of becoming a shorthand author.

I think the ultimate thing in some ways for any writer is to work on a character who's going to have a life for a long time.

Every writer hopes his or her book will be its own thing.

To act: that is what the writer would like to be able to do, above all. To act, rather than to bear witness. To write, imagine, and dream in such a way that his words and inventions and dreams will have an impact upon reality, will change people's minds and hearts, will prepare the way for a better world.

A writer should say to himself, not, How can I get more money?, but How can I reach more readers (without lowering standards)?

I didn't become a writer to write about me.