Yet Another 10 Quotes on Writing to Make a Writer Think
April 10th 2008 04:47
Still 10 More Quotes to Round Out the Series
Since we're exploring inspiration this month at Writer's Notes, I though this the perfect time for the third and final installment of my "10 Quotes on Writing" series. Some of the following quotes reveal the ironies of the writing life, some explore its subtleties, and some shout its realities. A few evoke a chuckle, while others make us ponder the mysteries of the writer's creativity.
Whatever responses they may elicit from you, may these quotes from those who've shared your passion for the written word provide the inspiration you need to take your innate talent, hone it to razor sharpness, and use it to cut to the heart of your topic, creating a piece of writing that's not just uniquely you, but also uniquely true. Enjoy!
The Quotes
1. The shelf life of the modern hardback writer is somewhere between the milk and the yogurt. ~ John Mortimer ~
2. Everywhere I go I'm asked if I think the university stifles writers. My opinion is that they don't stifle enough of them. ~ Flannery O'Connor ~
3. Really, in the end, the only thing that can make you a writer is the person that you are, the intensity of your feeling, the honesty of your vision, the unsentimental acknowledgment of the endless interest of the life around and within you. Virtually nobody can help you deliberately--many people will help you unintentionally. ~ Santha Rama Rau ~
4. A writer writes not because he is educated but because he is driven by the need to communicate. Behind the need to communicate is the need to share. Behind the need to share is the need to be understood. The writer wants to be understood much more than he wants to be respected or praised or even loved. And that perhaps, is what makes him different from others. ~ Leo Rosten ~
5. What I like in a good author isn't what he says, but what he whispers. ~ Logan Pearsall Smith ~
6. Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings so that you shall come easily by what others have labored hard for. ~ Socrates ~
7. A writer is dear and necessary for us only in the measure of which he reveals to us the inner workings of his very soul. ~ Count Leo Tolstoy ~
8. I love being a writer, what I can't stand is the paperwork. ~ Peter De Vries ~
9. Good writing is clear thinking made visible. ~ Bill Wheeler ~
10. Writing is thinking on paper. ~ William Zinsser ~
May these words of "writerly" wit and wisdom light the spark of creativity in you!
Literarily yours,
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? Were there any quotes you especially liked? Any you disagreed with? Please feel free to share your thoughts! I'd love to hear from you!
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Comment by Brad Shorr
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
That's a great one! I also like #5 a lot--and #1 (for its "chuckle value").
Thanks for the visit!
Jeanne
Comment by Renae
Great post.
--Renae
www.renaebrumbaugh.com
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Welcome to Writer's Notes! It's wonderful to meet you! Glad you enjoyed these great quotes!
It's funny that you like the same two quotes I mentioned in my comment--especially since I actually meant to say I liked #2 for its chuckle value and didn't even realize I'd written the wrong number! (Of course, #1 has real chuckle value, as well!) It's great that we started out with so much in common!
Appreciate your visit, and hope you'll stop by again very soon!
Blessings,
Jeanne
Comment by Joanne Fedler
Secret Writers Business
Thanks for these,
Jo
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
I like #3, as well. It really says a lot, doesn't it? Emotional clarity and authenticity are both so important to a writer--two qualities we need to continually strive for.
I think you might really enjoy reading some of Mike de Sousa's highly introspective and insightful articles about creativity, emotion, inspiration, etc. I've linked to several in my post about AbleStable. Check them out.
Thanks for dropping by!
Jeanne