In the beginning, I tried to be a more cosmopolitan writer, but I realized that I was a country boy, and I had to deal with things I knew about and where I came from. Ernest Gaines Read Quote
I suppose I started writing seriously at 16 years old. I thought I wrote a novel at 16 and sent it to New York! They sent it back because it wasn’t novel. Ernest Gaines Read Quote
I try to write something that would interest anybody and keep them turning the page. You must have a plot and good storyline. Ernest Gaines Read Quote
I was raised by a lady that was crippled all her life but she did everything for me and she raised me. She washed our clothes, cooked our food, she did everything for us. I don’t think I ever heard her complain a day in her life. She taught me responsibility towards my brother and sisters and the community. Ernest Gaines Read Quote
I knew I wanted to be a writer and I knew if I had a wife and family, I would neglect something, and I was afraid it wouldn’t be the writing. Ernest Gaines Read Quote
What I miss today more than anything else – I don’t go to church as much anymore – but that old-time religion, that old singing, that old praying which I love so much. That is the great strength of my being, of my writing. Ernest Gaines Read Quote
I think I’m a very religious person. I think I believe in God as much as any man does. I don’t only believe in God, I know there’s God. Ernest Gaines Read Quote
When I’m sitting in the church alone, I can hear singing of the old people. I can hear their singing and I can hear their praying, and sometimes I hum one of their songs. Ernest Gaines Read Quote
