An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment the world hands out and the punishment he inflicts upon himself.

Critics in New York are made by their dislikes, not by their enthusiasms.

I am forced to say that I have many fiercer critics than myself.

Writing is finally play, and there's no reason why you should get paid for playing

In America, we have the feeling of the doomed young artist. Fitzgerald was the great example of that.

I never show anything to anybody until I've finished it

Ernest Hemingway did a great deal toward making the writer an acceptable public figure; obviously, he was no sissy.