Writing gives you the illusion of control, and then you realize it's just an illusion, that people are going to bring their own stuff into it.
David SedarisI rejected the word humorist for a long time because I thought that it meant you had, like, a cardigan sweater with patches on the elbows, but now I'm old and I do. I grew into that word. I think at heart, all this time, I've been a diarist. I'm not ashamed of it.
David SedarisWhen I look at a lot of older stuff that I've written, I think one sign of amateur humor writing is when you see people trying too hard.
David SedarisIf you are any kind of an artist, then validation . . . can be a result, but you're going to do the work anyway.
David SedarisSometimes people say, do you want a drink? And I say, oh, I'd like to, but I'm a tragic alcoholic. I always say tragic. I'm a tragic alcoholic.
David SedarisAnyone who watches even the slightest amount of TV is familiar with the scene: An agent knocks on the door of some seemingly ordinary home or office. The door opens, and the person holding the knob is asked to identify himself. The agent then says, "I'm going to ask you to come with me.
David Sedaris