John Shirley
FameRank: 6

"John Shirley" is an American writer, primarily of fantasy and science fiction and songs. He has also written one historical novel, a western, about Wyatt Earp, Wyatt in Wichita, and one non-fiction book, Gurdjieff: An Introduction to His Life and Ideas. Shirley has written novels, short stories, TV scripts and screenplays, and has published over 40 books and 8 short-story collections. As a musician, Shirley has fronted his own bands and written lyrics for Blue Öyster Cult and others.

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I'm incapable of writing without social commentary. I like to think that it's integrated and not really heavy handedly didactic.

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I'm trying to trick people into thinking about the unthinkable by using pop culture images.

225

I get drunk writing words. I don't drink or do drugs, but I get so carried away with writing that I get inebriated from it.

205

Innocence could be considered a discrete state of mind.

195

Bob [Sachs] is not the only client who wants a more finished look. People from out of state still see the 'Old West,' mining-camp look as new and exciting, but most don't want splinters [from unfinished wood] in their houses. The taste is more grown-up.

163

I'm cursed with empathy. I'm also by nature way too opinionated.

146

Labels only confuse people. The smarter people recognize artists who transcend categories. But I always try to entertain. It's in my nature; writers are born to entertain. If that means working ostensibly within a genre, fine.

130

"I call attention to the dark side maybe a little bit for mutual catharsis but also to try to paint the universe as it is - both sides of it.

107

I think paranoia can be instructive in the right doses. Paranoia is a skill.

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