1.
I always consider every place worth exploring once- just in case there's a thirty foot flaming sign divulging the secret of life, that no one has told me about.
Tibor Fischer
2.
You've got to try everything once, except those things you don't like, or that involve a lot of effort and getting up early.
Tibor Fischer
3.
Once you've been backstage at a theater, the theater is never the same for you. Once you've noticed the crack in the vase, the vase is never the same for. Once you've seen a friend do something appalling, the friendship is never the same. That does not mean you won't go to the theater, or keep the vase or the friend. You can choose.
Tibor Fischer
4.
Opening the fridge door, I found a rat eating the cheese. My dealings with rodents, particularly those tagged verminous, have been few, but generally the pattern has been one of man, the boss, the caretaker of creation, the namer, appearing and the lower orders hitting the road.
Tibor Fischer
5.
One of my proudest achievements is that when an authoritative book about Hungarian literature came out about a decade ago, there was a little article about me which said I was a Hungarian writer but pretending not to be. Bearing in mind I can hardly write a cheque in Hungarian, I was delighted to be included in the pantheon of Hungarian writers.
Tibor Fischer
6.
Stay cool, and wait for opportunity.
Tibor Fischer
7.
Few pleasures are greater than knowing you can close your door, ignore the world and create your own.
Tibor Fischer
8.
Criticism is part of being in the marketplace. If you can't take a bit of criticism, you shouldn't bother publishing a book.
Tibor Fischer
9.
The greatest danger of being gifted, is that you may never learn how to make an effort.
Tibor Fischer
10.
Most books reviews aren't very well-written. They tend to be more about the reviewer than the book.
Tibor Fischer
11.
Ultimately, it's about the quality of the writing whatever style you are writing.
Tibor Fischer
12.
As an author, I realise, you're on your own. You have to do everything you can to help The Book. If I make sure people know it's out there, they can make up their own minds whether they want to read it.
Tibor Fischer
13.
I don't take much notice of reviews now - obviously you'd like to have straight worship but you're never going to get that.
Tibor Fischer
14.
It's what the reader thinks that counts.
Tibor Fischer
15.
I never could get a proper job.
Tibor Fischer
16.
The way British publishing works is that you go from not being published no matter how good you are, to being published no matter how bad you are.
Tibor Fischer
17.
New York City has fantastic restaurants and, unlike London, a lot of the best restaurants are relatively cheap.
Tibor Fischer
18.
Like most men, I'm a life support system for a phallus.
Tibor Fischer
19.
A public role endures for the literary high-command, as sages and seers, speaking out on social and political issues.
Tibor Fischer
20.
No one wants a masterpiece knocking around when your own book is looking for attention.
Tibor Fischer
21.
Miami, in many ways, is a quintessentially American city. The juxtaposition of showy wealth with dire pennilessness, the tussle of glitz and decay doesnt come any more marked than here.
Tibor Fischer
22.
No amount of intelligence can save you from stupidity.
Tibor Fischer
23.
It's true, some senior Hungarian writers are not known for their laughter. There is a strong Germanic influence - an attitude that if it's enjoyable it can't possibly be literature.
Tibor Fischer
24.
You don't really have to go anywhere in particular in New York City to have a good time. In every part of town, there's always something going on. It helps to know people there, too, because everything changes so fast, and they will be able to point out what's hot this month.
Tibor Fischer
25.
As suburbs go, Bromley's not bad. But as David Bowie and Hanif Kureishi have observed, you do want to get out of there quickly.
Tibor Fischer
26.
Why is erasing desire seen as so important? If the subjugation of the self is the point of the self what's the point in having a self? It's like someone handing you a leaflet which says throw this leaflet away.
Tibor Fischer
27.
I went to a British Council event a while back and there were lots of German professors of literature. About half of them were convinced I had a German sense of humour and the other half were sure it was British. They are probably still arguing about it now.
Tibor Fischer
28.
Even those with unspendable fortunes only have one mind, one mouth, two ears, two eyes and one pleasure station. There's only so much fun you can take.
Tibor Fischer
29.
The impossible lives next door to the possible; people ring its door bell by accident all the time.
Tibor Fischer