Quotes from Raymond Carver

You're...writing for other writers to an extent-the dead writers whose work you admire, as well as the living writers you like to read.

Anyone can express himself or herself, but what writers and poets want to do in their work, more than simply express themselves, is communicate.

In the beginning, when I was trying to write, I couldn't turn off the outside world to the extent that I can now.

Art doesn't have to do anything. It just has to be there for the fierce pleasure we take in doing it.

there isn't enough of anything as long as we live. But at intervals a sweetness appears and, given a chance prevails.

I think marriage is one of those things that writers draw on, one of those emotional reservoirs that go way back.