Norman Mailer Book Quotations

While I'm working on a book, I rarely read anything more than The New York Times. Which may have the long-term effect of flattening my style.

Every one of my books had killed me a little more.

When I read it, I don't wince, which is all I ever ask for a book I write.

It's very bad to write a novel by act of will. I can do a book of nonfiction work that way - just sign the contract and do the book because, provided the topic has some meaning for me, I know I can do it. But a novel is different. A novel is more like falling in love. You don't say, 'I'm going to fall in love next Tuesday, I'm going to begin my novel.' The novel has to come to you. It has to feel just like love.

A book of great beauty and manically exquisite insight with a wild and deadly humor . . . The only American novelist who may conceivably be possessed by genius.

I did like Robert Vavra's book not only for its so very good photographs but for the text as well. He's no ordinary fellow, obviously...

I always start a book for money. If you're married five times you have to.

The difference between writing a book and being on television is the difference between conceiving a child and having a baby made in a test tube.

Writing books is the closest men ever come to childbearing.