"I knew the basic outline of the novel [The Dissemblers] and would write whatever scene of the book I felt particularly excited about at the time."
About Liza Campbell
Liza Campbell — Life and Legacy
Liza Campbell is a celebrated author whose work delves deeply into themes of resilience and identity. Her distinctive voice resonates through her narratives, often reflecting her personal struggles and triumphs. Campbell's exploration of identity is particularly profound; she articulates the complexities of self-perception and societal influence. One of her notable quotes, 'Resilience is not just about bouncing back,' encapsulates her belief that true strength lies in transformation and growth. This perspective challenges conventional views on resilience, inviting readers to see struggle as a catalyst for deeper understanding and authenticity. Campbell's insights remain relevant today, as they speak to the universal human experience of navigating identity amidst external pressures. Her ability to articulate the nuances of personal experience fosters a connection with readers, encouraging them to embrace their own journeys. Through her work, Campbell not only shares her story but also inspires others to reflect on their resilience and the multifaceted nature of their identities.
Quote collection
Liza Campbell quotes (page 1 of 2)
36 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"Ivy [Wilkes] does exhibit a certain impatience at the beginning of the book [The Dissemblers]. She doesn't want to wait through years of hard work and insignificance to make her mark on the art world. Part of her growth is in realizing - even embracing - that the process of art is more important than the product or the recognition."
"I lived in New Mexico until I was seventeen, and honestly I've been homesick ever since I left."
"When I finished the book [The Dissemblers], I sent it to one billion agents, and got one billion rejections."
"I tend to only write productively for one to two hours per day, so there is plenty of time left over for me to work a day job!"
"I find that time constraints actually make me more productive, and "real world" experiences provide a lot of inspiration to write."
"I am currently in nursing school, so one day I will be both a nurse and a writer."
"Publishing requires a lot of persistence and a fair amount of luck."
"Finally, I found a wonderful agent who wanted to work with me, and she sent it to one billion publishers and received one billion rejections, until I was fortunate enough to be matched up with the Permanent Press."
"I hope to work through disappointment and frustration with as much grace as [Georgia] O'Keeffe did, and I hope to have the same confidence in my own vision."
"From beginning to end, the novel [Dissemblers] took about three and a half years to write. I didn't write it chronologically."
"At the end, I cobbled scenes all together and smoothed out the transitions as much as possible. Incidentally, I would not recommend this approach to writing a book, and will probably not write that way again!"
"This was my first novel [The Dissemblers ]. I've never seriously written short stories, and actually find short stories much more intimidating as an art form than novels."
"At the beginning of the book [The Dissemblers], Ivy [Wilkes] has a long way to go in order to achieve self-sufficiency. Although she is very independent, even somewhat of a loner, she is very affected by other peoples' opinions. At the opening of the book, her ideas of success and achievement are largely defined by the approval of others; over the arc of the story, I think that begins to change a little."
"I'm working on a novel about a girl who grows up in the circus and her relationship with her father, who grew up in Hungary when it was under Soviet control and left during the 1956 revolution. It is told from both of their perspectives, and has been a joy (and very frustrating) to research and write. Needless to say, I am very excited about my next project!"
"[Ivy Wilkes] loves [Georgia] O'Keeffe's work, but is not satisfied by just looking at the paintings; she wants the painting to be her own. The plot grew naturally out of Ivy's personality (and flaws)."
"I was envious of [Vincent] Van Gogh because I could never make a painting that beautiful! (Ridiculous, I know.) That was when the character of Ivy [Wilkes] began to take shape for me."
"I was at an art museum with my parents, and was quite taken with a [Vincent] Van Gogh painting. I stood admiring the painting for some time, and then realized that in addition to feeling moved by the beauty of the painting, I felt a little jealous of the painter."
"I started writing about New Mexico in an autobiography class I was taking for school, and realized that it was very inspiring place for me."
"Writing a book set in New Mexico was partially a way to express my own love for the state, and partially a way to prudently follow the advice to write what you know."