Sit and quiet yourself. Luxuriate in a certain memory and the details will come. Let the images flow. You'll be amazed at what will come out on paper. I'm still learning what it is about the past that I want to write. I don't worry about it. It will emerge. It will insist on being told.
Frank McCourtI know that big people don't like questions from children. They can ask all the questions they like, How's school? Are you a good boy? Did you say your prayers? but if you ask them did they say their prayers you might be hit on the head.
Frank McCourtYour mind is a treasure house that you should stock well and it's the one part of you the world can't interfere with.
Frank McCourtThereโs no use saying anything in the schoolyard because thereโs always someone with an answer and thereโs nothing you can do but punch them in the nose and if you were to punch everyone who has an answer youโd be punching morning noon and night.
Frank McCourtMy childhood here... was very limited. So it was a long, long time before I actually went out to Brooklyn.
Frank McCourtI don't absolve my father completely of his responsibility for what he did to us I feel compassion, maybe. He had his demons. But I still can't understand how a man can walk away from children. And leave them to starve, as we nearly did, if it wasn't for my mother going out and begging.
Frank McCourt