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A writer is a tool of the language rather than the other way around.

A writer is not a prophet, is not a philosopher; he's just someone who is witness to what is around him. And so writing is a way to... it's the best way to testify, to be a witness.

A writer is defined by the language in which he writes, and I would stick to that definition.

Writing is about culture and should be about everything. That's what makes it what it is.

Writing is not a matter of choice. Writers have to write. It is somehow in their temperament, in the blood, in tradition.

My mum and dad were speaking all the time about, 'In Sudan we do this,' and 'In Egypt we do that,' so I was very aware of cultural differences. I was confused growing up; it gave me a feeling of being an outsider watching others. But I think this is good for a writer.

My favorite writers are all Jews - David, Solomon, Matthew, Mark - well, you get the picture.

A writer is somebody for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.

If a writer doesn't do anything but give a new word to his language and, from there, maybe to other languages, I think that writer redefines the world.

Of course I consider myself a Jewish writer - I am one! All of the protagonists in my five books have been Jewish, and I wouldn't be surprised if all my future main characters were as well.