Quotes from Joshua Mohr

I always joke that every novel is really about the same thing: one person's struggle against society.

In my life the right question is simply this: What can I do to be happy today?

My musical sensibilities were formed around punk rock, that quintessential dilution of an art that's both ugly and lovely at the same time.

My tunnel vision allows me to have a longer work day than most writers. I'm thankful for that.

I like art that trusts its audience, that's written for readers who like to work hard. I like art that knows its readers are up to the challenge of interacting with difficult material.

Self-respect doesn't come naturally to me. I need to constantly remind myself and do the work to err on the side of self-respect, rather than self-punishment.

For the book to succeed, it has to have equal parts ugliness and beauty, counterpoints adding up to emotional complexity. To me, there's a dignity in letting your art be emotionally complex.