Jack Vance

“It seems to limit you; when you're working in an office, you're a creature in a small cell under somebody's supervision and surveillance.”

“I don't read other science fiction. I don't read any at all.”

“I was an omnivore at reading, so that everything I ever read contributed.”

“Well, I think everything I've ever read contributes to the background from which I write.”

“Then there was Clark Ashton Smith, who wrote for Weird Tales and who had a wild imagination. He wasn't a very talented writer, but his imagination was wonderful.”

“I am not Cugel the Clever for nothing!”

“Where was his knife, upon which he relied? He had cut cheese for their noonday meal, and had packed the knife away with the cheese.Aillas said: 'Sir, before we continue with this matter, may I offer you a bite of cheese?''I care for no cheese, though it is an amusing concept.''In that case, allow me a moment while I cut a morsel or two for myself, as I hunger.''I have no time to spare while you eat cheese; prepare instead for death.”

“As I mentioned, I was a carpenter for a time.”

“I got done writing Ports of Call and suddenly realized I have far too much material for the book.”

“I understand the gist of your speculation,' said Rhialto. 'It is most likely nuncupatory.”

“But, for instance, when I was awfully young, I read all the Oz books. They were an enormous influence on me.”

“In fact, almost every job you get somebody watching you.”

“These are just the tip of the iceberg, because I read and read and read. I read everything.”

“I never worked in an office in my life.”

“Twango's hospitality, though largely symbolic, does him credit.”

“I just wrote what I felt like writing since they seemed to sell.”

“I haven't sold to the movies. In other words, I haven't gotten any enormous checks yet.”

“Until work has reached its previous stage nympharium privileges are denied to all.”

“There was a writer in the '20s called Christopher Morley, who I remember a little bit of, who had some influence on me, but I couldn't tell you what it was.”

“But Roy Rockwood, it was science fiction for the sake of science fiction.”