Pankaj Mishra Quotes
Local markets for literary fiction remain underdeveloped; the metropolis often holds out the only real possibility of a professional writing career.
Quotes to Explore
-
Once you research an idea, you begin to develop a perspective. Writing about anything in public, often in real time, has helped fashion my views.
-
I promised my mom that if, after a year of putting 150 percent into my career it didn't work out, I would go back to school. I never did go back.
-
I've got plenty of quirks. I go to an office early in the morning. Early in the morning is really good writing time. I take anywhere between six to eight showers a day. I'm not exaggerating. I'm not a germaphobe: it's all about a fresh start.
-
We want our students to graduate from high school, but we want them to graduate with a plan, whether it's college or career.
-
I read my books to writing workshops and friends, and I'm often focussed just on keeping them entertained. I never think about marketing at all.
-
I started submitting stories for publication when I was about 15, but it was many years before I sold anything. I don't make my living writing science fiction, so in that sense, I'm still not a pro.
-
I sail, run dogs, ride horses, play professional poker and tell stories about the stuff I've been through. And I'm still a romantic; I still want Bambi to make it out of the fire.
-
The only thing that is real is the being in you that is going to die.
-
I am proud of my career.
-
I love writing songs.
-
I'm a stand-up comic. I'm always doing dates; it's just that, if I'm working on a project or I'm busy, I can't get out on the road or book any shows. Since the beginning of my career, I'm usually out for at least 10-15 dates throughout the year. If I have time, then I try to get at least 30-40 dates.
-
When I'm writing, I'm just in it and trying to figure out what seems best.
-
Writing is a solitary journey, so I am always excited to go out on book tour and meet readers one-on-one.
-
A failure is not always a mistake, it may simply be the best one can do under the circumstances. The real mistake is to stop trying.
-
I always say that people should not rush to change religions. There is real value in finding the spiritual resources you need in your home religion.
-
The thing that makes writing so difficult is you don't have the element of serendipity. At least with a photograph, you can set up the camera, and something might happen. You might be a lousy photographer, but you can get a good picture if you just take enough of them.
-
Variety improves the things that we do too often, but it rules the things that we don't do often enough.
-
I had reached a point in my career in which I was ready to try something new in my writing, and the idea of a novel has always been in the back of my mind.
-
Happiness is making your dreams come true.
-
LET us honour the King by cherishing respectful Sentiments concerning him; speaking of him with Affection, with Esteem and Reverence; and by promoting a like Spirit and Conduct in others.
-
I contend that in the kind of nonfiction I write, and that other people also pursue, anything is permissible provided the reader knows what you're taking liberties with.
-
Local markets for literary fiction remain underdeveloped; the metropolis often holds out the only real possibility of a professional writing career.
