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When young writers approach me for advice, I remind them, as gently as I can, that they are on their own, with no help available anywhere.

— John Banville How I Write: John Banville on ‘Ancient Light,’ Nabokov, and Dublin (2012)

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Advice

More quotes by John Banville

The world is a dark place, and I find it endlessly funny.

John Banville, The Art of Fiction No. 200 (2009)

Ian McEwan is a very good writer; the first half of Atonement alone would ensure him a lasting place in English letters.

The past beats inside me like a second heart.

The white May blossom swooned slowly into the open mouth of the grave.

If they give me the bloody prize, why can't they say nice things about me?

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A man must serve his time to every trade
Save censure — critics are ready-made.

Lord Byron English Bards and Scotch Reviewers (1809)

The physician can bury his mistakes, but the architect can only advise his clients to plant vines.

Frank Lloyd Wright

Parodies and caricatures are the most penetrating of criticisms.

Aldous Huxley Point Counter Point (1928)

Let no man value at a little price
A virtuous woman's counsel; her wing'd spirit
Is feather'd oftentimes with heavenly words.

George Chapman The Gentleman Usher (1606)

Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: John Banville (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.