Recent content by Paul Whybrow

"Social media is to socializing what masturbating is to sex.” Oliver Markus Malloy

When you don't have a main character that's flawed, I don't know how you relate to that person. Sam Esmail

Don't be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated. You can't cross a chasm in two small jumps. David Lloyd George

The idea that audiobooks don’t “count” angers me — as a reader, writer and human being. The argument, as far as I can tell, is that listening to a book is cheating because it means passively consuming a book. Not only is this argument insufferable, made — and I’m just guessing — by insufferable...

It's really a misconception to identify the writer with the main character, given that the author creates all the characters in the book. In certain ways, I'm every character. Rachel Kushner

I'm quite sure Shakespeare enjoyed writing Iago much more than he did writing Othello. If you write about someone you love, what the hell are you supposed to say about that person? It's much better to have something between you and your main character that grates. Henning Mankell

I have a mess in my head sometimes, and there's something very satisfying about putting it into words. Certainly it's not something that you're in charge of, necessarily, but writing about it, putting it into your words, can be a very powerful experience. Carrie Fisher

“Whatever story you're telling, it will be more interesting if, at the end you add, ‘and then everything burst into flames.’” Brian P. Cleary

“You get a good review, and it’s like crack. You need another hit. And another. And another. I know authors are like Tinkerbell and generally need applause to survive, but it’s a slippery slope.” Alexandra Bracken

I love the village in my computer. There's little validation in the day-to-day life of a writer; sometimes we ache for a connection. Lisa Unger

“While there are basic writing skills that every writer should implement when needed, you will take larger strides by developing your personal writing style. There is no need to convey your thoughts like the next writer. Your readers want to hear you. Make them fall in love with your way of...

“The greatest story commandment is: Make me care.” Andrew Stanton

"You are in charge of how much space a thought takes up in your life. Take the time to carefully consider what you let be a part of your being and your spirit." Cleo Wade

"The trick is to be grateful when your mood is high and graceful when it is low." Richard Carlson

Indecision may or may not be my problem. Jimmy Buffett