We'd never expect to understand a piece of music on one listen, but we tend to believe we've read a book after reading it just once. Ali Smith bookexpecthave Change image and share on social
Fashion is fickle, and I was published because I was fashionable. Because I was gay. Ali Smith fashionfashionablefickle Change image and share on social
Short stories consume you faster. They're connected to brevity. With the short story, you are up against mortality. I know how tough they are as a form, but they're also a total joy. Ali Smith brevityconnectconsume Change image and share on social
I went to the top of Vesuvius and looked in. Ali Smith looktopvesuvius Change image and share on social
I'm blessed in my good friends, and some of them happen to be writers, though that's almost never what our friendships are about. And every writer I've ever read, living or dead, has in one way or another helped and inspired. I have a feeling it's important not to mix the two up. Ali Smith blessdeadfelt share on social
Even things which seem separate and finished are infinitely connected and will infinitely connect. This connection happens as soon as you let it, as soon as you engage - as soon as you even attempt to engage. Ali Smith attemptconnectconnection share on social
How could 30 years be the blink-of-the-eye it felt? It was the difference between black-and-white footage of the Second World War and David Bowie on 'Top of the Pops' singing 'Life on Mars.' Ali Smith blackblinkbowie Change image and share on social
But everything written has style. The list of ingredients on the side of a cornflakes box has style. And everything literary has literary style. And style is integral to a work. How something is told correlates with - more - makes what's being told. A story is its style. Ali Smith boxcornflakecorrelate share on social
What I know most is that the difference between us is what makes us interesting and attractive and problematic and exciting and vital to each other. Give me difference over indifference any day. Ali Smith attractivedaydifference Change image and share on social
I don't want a tombstone. You could carve on it 'She never actually wanted a tombstone.' Ali Smith carvetombstonewant Change image and share on social
