[Degree in English] gave me a little more self-confidence, to know that I'd managed to complete something like that.
Donald Ray PollockReligion can be a good thing, but basically the way I look at it is that it provides a moral code, common sense. But then people distort it and use it as an excuse to be a bully. It's sad, but that's the way it's worked for a several thousand years now.
Donald Ray PollockThe way I saw the characters these things just happened naturally. At the same time - and I know it's probably not apparent when you read the book - but I really tried to hold back because I didn't want it to become a cartoon.
Donald Ray PollockI don't really think the outburst is recent; there have always been writers in Appalachia.
Donald Ray Pollock