I think the close work I do as a translator pays off in my writing - I'm always searching for multiple ways to say things. Lydia Davis More Quotes by Lydia Davis More Quotes From Lydia Davis I always interrupt work with other work, either in a small way or big way, so that's normal. Lydia Davis small always work way All of the little entries in 'The Cows' were written in an irregular way. There might be one or two done one day, and then two weeks might go by or four weeks, and then they were put in an order or sequence. Lydia Davis day go one-day way Ordering is difficult. It's like arranging pieces of music in a concert: What do you put first? What do you put after the intermission? I want the reader to be sort of surprised, to come to each story freshly. Lydia Davis story you music want Collections aren't really planned. I just keep writing short pieces until I have enough for a collection. Lydia Davis short just enough writing I first read 'Madame Bovary' in my teens or early twenties. Lydia Davis read first early twenties The existence of another, competing translation is a good thing, in general, and only immediately discouraging to one person - the translator who, after one, two, or three years of more or less careful work, sees another, and perhaps superior, version appear as if overnight. Lydia Davis person good three work If a translation doesn't have obvious writing problems, it may seem quite all right at first glance. We readers, after all, quickly adapt to the style of a translator, stop noticing it, and get caught up in the story. Lydia Davis stop problems story style Of course we may have any number of translations of a given text - the more the better, really. Lydia Davis text more better may Even though I believe a superlative translation can achieve timelessness, that doesn't mean I think other translators shouldn't attempt other versions. The more the better, in the end. Lydia Davis end better think believe
