Too clear, too clean. The problem was precision, perfection. Jennifer Egan More Quotes by Jennifer Egan More Quotes From Jennifer Egan I guess my comfort zone as a writer is diametrically opposed to my comfort zone as a human being. Jennifer Egan human-beingcomfort-zonezonecomfort I haven't had trouble with writer's block. I think it's because my process involves writing very badly. My first drafts are filled with lurching, cliched writing, outright flailing around. Writing that doesn't have a good voice or any voice. But then there will be good moments. Jennifer Egan goodthinkvoicemoments Proust, my big inspiration for 'Goon Squad,' uses music a lot in his novel, both in terms of plot and structure. I liked the idea of doing the same thing, which is one reason I structured 'Goon Squad' as a record album, with an A side and a B side, that's built around the contrasting sounds of the individual numbers in it. Jennifer Egan doingsquadmusicnumbers Time is always a component of place; you can't really talk about where without talking about when. Jennifer Egan placeyoutimetalking I learned you have to move fast, writing futuristic satire in America: Before you know it, you're a realist! Jennifer Egan knowyouwritingamerica If you can write any way and it's working out, just bow down in gratitude. Jennifer Egan downyougratitudeway Not to brag, but I do think I've gotten pretty adept on PowerPoint... except that I can't figure out how to use Excel! Jennifer Egan prettyhowthinkuse I would go so far as to say that I mostly write terrible things. I mean, my first drafts are so appalling. Jennifer Egan saythingsgomean The sheer sensory experience of San Francisco is unlike anywhere else. Not just the physical beauty, but the textures, the feel, the wind, the ocean. It's a monumental feeling unrivaled by anywhere else. Its a world class, gorgeous city. And the coffee is great. Jennifer Egan experiencecoffeeoceanbeauty I think a playful critique is good for all of us, and that's basically how I see satire functioning. But I'm not interested in a kind of contemptuous satirical vision; I try always, even when I'm knowingly being satirical, to also be humane, but I mean, let's face it: there's plenty in American life to make fun of, and we all participate in it. Jennifer Egan facegoodvisionlife Life itself is so surprising, a predictable story is unsatisfying. Jennifer Egan itselfstorypredictablelife I grew up thinking you're either a winner in the world, or you're not. I presumed I was not. I had no reason to think I would be, and my inclination is towards self-deprecation. I wish I'd known no one was judging my every move, but I'm still like this! Jennifer Egan youwinnerworldthinking I write totally spontaneously. I actually write fiction by hand - that always seems to startle people. I think the reason I do that is to bypass the thinking part of me and get to the more unconscious part, which is where all the good ideas seem to be. Jennifer Egan goodmepeoplethinking I was obsessed with The Who. I would have accepted a marriage proposal from Roger Daltrey on the spot. I went to all of their shows in San Francisco and some in L.A. That was as close as I got to being a groupie. Jennifer Egan somewhobeingmarriage The book that is the closest genetically to 'Goon Squad' is 'Look at Me.' It has the futuristic element - although, freakishly, almost every aspect I invented has come to pass in some way, including the terrorist who fantasies about blowing up the World Trade Centre. That was extremely uncomfortable. The book came out on the week of 9/11. Jennifer Egan lookmebookworld In the case of 'Goon Squad,' which sold slowly for a long time despite the good reviews, those 'best of 2010' lists were pivotal, and made the book really sell. Jennifer Egan bestgoodtimelong
