Émile Zola, born 2 April 1840 and died 29 September 1902, was an influential French novelist, the most important example of the literary school of naturalism, and a major figure in the political liberalisation of France. After the publication of l’Assommoir, Zola became a figurehead among the literary bourgeoisie. His novel Germinal established him as a successful author.
Quotes on writing:
- One forges one’s style on the terrible anvil of daily deadlines.
- The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work.
- If you ask me what I came to do in this world, I, an artist, will answer you: I am here to live out loud.
- There are two men inside the artist, the poet and the craftsman. One is born a poet. One becomes a craftsman.