78 Quotes by Dana Spiotta

I always think the novelist should go to the culture’s dark places and poke around. Pose a lot of hard questions.

That was one of the reasons I became a writer – I never really had that many friends. I would read a lot, and listen to music. And that was my life.

And if I am comfortable with it, why do I still call it loneliness? Because – and I think somehow she would understand this – you can have and recognize a sadness in your alienation and in other people’s alienation and still not long to be around anyone. I think that if you wonder about other people’s loneliness, or contemplate it at all, you’ve got a real leg up on being comfortable on your own.

There’s lots of things that can’t make it in the world that are worth making. There are lots of great artists who never make it, there are lots of great writers who don’t get published – is it still worthwhile? Aren’t we glad people are still doing it?

A lie of invention, a lie about yourself, should not be called a lie. It needs a different word.

I like to buy books for the kids in my family. I guess that’s why they call me the ‘mean’ aunt.