As for how I feel about any success I've had, I just feel extremely lucky. Writing is a tough racket, and there are a lot of writers out there better than me who can't seem to catch a break. Donald Ray Pollock More Quotes by Donald Ray Pollock More Quotes From Donald Ray Pollock Some people were born just so they could be buried. Donald Ray Pollock buriedbornpeople Unless he had whiskey running through his veins, Willard came to the clearing every morning and evening to talk to God. Arvin didn't know which was worse, the drinking or the praying. As far back as he could remember, it seemed that his father had fought the Devil all the time. Donald Ray Pollock runningmorningfather I'm beginning to believe that anything I do to extend my life is just going to be outweighed by the agony of living it. Donald Ray Pollock agonylife-isbelieve I didn't feel that so much as an outsider when I started writing; I've felt that way all my life. I don't know, man; I guess I was just wired wrong. When I was growing up, I always wanted to be somebody else and live somewhere else. I've always felt a little uncomfortable around people. And I'm not trying to romanticize this, because it wasn't romantic. I wasn't trying to be a rebel; I just always felt a little out of it. I think that's why it's pretty easy for me to identify with people living on the margins. Donald Ray Pollock growing-upwritingmen When I turned fifty, I decided to quit the mill and go to graduate school. Donald Ray Pollock quittingfiftyschool I sort of like writing about weird characters, I guess. Donald Ray Pollock writingcharacter I was always a big reader, even when everything was bad and miserable. Donald Ray Pollock miserablebigsreader If a person does this for just a couple of years and discovers that it just isn't for him, that's okay. At least he can move on knowing that he gave it his best shot. Donald Ray Pollock coupleyearsmoving I spent thirty-two years in a paper mill in southern Ohio, and before that I worked in a meatpacking plant and a shoe factory. Donald Ray Pollock ohioshoesyears Id always been a big reader, and I loved books, and I always thought writing would be a great way to get by in the world. Donald Ray Pollock would-bewritingbook Michael Koryta is an amazingly talented writer, and I rank The Prophet as one of the sharpest and superbly plotted crime novels I've read in my life. Donald Ray Pollock crime-novelsprophetcrime The humor I came up with is, for the most part, a bit crude or guttural, and many people aren't going to get it or enjoy it, but some do, and that means a lot to me - to know that I made someone laugh. Donald Ray Pollock laughingmeanpeople J.R. Angelella is a truly gifted writer. Zombie is one of the smartest, strangest, and most beautifully crafted coming-of-age stories you will ever encounter. Donald Ray Pollock gifted-writerszombieage The Oxys filled holes in me I hadn't realized were empty. It was, at least for those first few months, a wonderful way to be disabled. I felt blessed. Donald Ray Pollock monthsblessedway Look, girls don't care how many push-ups you can do. They just want to get high and wear flowers in their hair. Maybe steal a car. Donald Ray Pollock girlflowerhair One of the reasons I write about religion is due to my own envy of people who truly feel the presence of god in their lives, good souls who believe devoutly in a supreme being and an afterlife. Donald Ray Pollock good-lifewritingbelieve A lot of people get the wrong impression, think there's something romantic or tragic about hitting bottom. Donald Ray Pollock hitting-bottompeoplethinking Knockemstiff is a collection of short stories set in the holler of the same name in southern Ohio where I grew up. I tried to link the stories together through the place and some recurring characters. Donald Ray Pollock ohionamescharacter I look upon [writing about religion] as a nice way to get by in this precarious world, though I've never been able to do it myself. Donald Ray Pollock nicewritinglooks The biggest influence on my writing, besides snagging some ideas about black humor, was that the paper mill had a program where they paid 75 percent of the tuition and book [costs] for employees who wanted to go to college part-time. Donald Ray Pollock collegewritingbook
