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Words of Wisdom

Beryl Bainbridge: Everyone Has the Ability to Write a Book

“I am of the firm belief that everybody could write books and I never understand why they don’t. After all, everyone speaks. Once the grammar has been learnt it is simply talking on paper and in time learning what not to say.”
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Beryl Bainbridge (1932-2010) was a renowned English novelist who was shortlisted for the Booker Prize five times. Her books were often of the psychological fiction sub genre and included Injury Time, Master Georgie, and Every Man For Himself. Bainbridge was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2010 and won two Whitbread Awards prize for best novel in 1977 and 1996.


“I am of the firm belief that everybody could write books and I never understand why they don’t. After all, everyone speaks. Once the grammar has been learnt it is simply talking on paper and in time learning what not to say.”

Source: James Vinson & D. L. Kirkpatrick (eds.), Contemporary Novelists, 2nd edition, (London: St. James Press, 1976). (Via WikiQuote)

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