A reader is not supposed to be aware that someone's written the story. He's supposed to be completely immersed, submerged in the environment.
Jack Vance

As I mentioned, I was a carpenter for a time.
Jack Vance

But I'm so slow on it because I find it terribly hard writing blind on computers. The computer speaks to me, but it's just so slow, I'm so terribly slow using it.
Jack Vance

But I've sure worked at jobs where I have been under inspection.
Jack Vance

But Roy Rockwood, it was science fiction for the sake of science fiction.
Jack Vance

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

I do read books. I suppose it's more or less the same thing, but at least I'm alone and I'm an individual. I can stop anytime I want, which I frequently do.
Jack Vance

I don't read other science fiction. I don't read any at all.
Jack Vance

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

I haven't been to a movie since somebody gave me free tickets to Star Wars, which I went to.
Jack Vance


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

I just wrote what I felt like writing since they seemed to sell.
Jack Vance

I never made lots of money at it, but I sold enough.
Jack Vance

I never worked in an office in my life.
Jack Vance

I thought that automobiles were going to have mufflers and go fast and airplanes were going to fly fast.
Jack Vance

I was a carpenter for a time and everybody watches what you do.
Jack Vance

I was an omnivore at reading, so that everything I ever read contributed.
Jack Vance

I worked for half a cent a word. I'm not a fast writer to begin with, so for the first few years I had do other things.
Jack Vance

I'd never been published when I was young.
Jack Vance

In fact, almost every job you get somebody watching you.
Jack Vance