The novelist's obsession, moment by moment, is with language: finding the right next word.

You write differently in each book. It may appear to be similar to readers, but you're a different writer in each book because you haven't approached that subject before. And every subject brings out a different prose strain in you. Fundamentally, yes, you're contained as one writer. But you have various voices. Like a good actor.

If I don't measure up as an American writer, at least leave me to my delusion.

Philip Roth Quotes