Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach

  • Home
  • About
  • Books
    • On Being a Writer
      • Media Kit
  • Speaking
    • Book Ann as a Guest on Your Show
  • Podcast
  • Courses
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Work With Me

October 21, 2016 2 Comments

Writing Quote: Ray Bradbury on How Art Can Revitalize Us

In the preface to Zen in the Art of Writing, Ray Bradbury explores what writing teaches us.

He says that more than anything, it “reminds us that we are alive.”

In the midst of draining, depressing, stressful days, writing—which Bradbury broadens to “our art”—helps restore life to us. It’s a way to regain stability after getting knocked flat by the death of a loved one or staring in disbelief at the doctor delivering the diagnosis.

If we were to expand the list of loss and suffering, it would never end. “The list is endless and crushing if we do not creatively oppose it,” he says. Writing pushes back against the darkness; it fights back and gives us hope that we can find a way to press in and through whatever we come up against.

Is writing therapy? Bradbury resists that word (“too clean, too sterile”).

Instead, he means “writing as cure,” revitalizing us in the midst of it all.

Writing cannot save us, but it can energize us. We write; therefore, we are alive.

So while our art cannot, as we wish it could, save us from wars, privation, envy, greed, old age, or death, it can revitalize us amidst it all. - Ray Bradbury, Zen in the Art of Writing

“So while our art cannot, as we wish it could, save us from wars, privation, envy, greed, old age, or death, it can revitalize us amidst it all.”

— Ray Bradbury, Zen in the Art of Writing

Source: Bradbury, Ray. Zen in the Art of Writing: Essays on Creativity. Santa Barbara, CA: Capra Press, 1989. Print. (Library) (p. xii)

Browse the growing collection of Writing Quotes

___________________________________

52 Creative Writing Prompts: A Year of Weekly Prompts and Exercises to Boost Your Creativity

Sure, you can poke around the Internet collecting writing prompts and creative writing exercises.

Or you could buy an ebook that collects them for you in one place.

Convenient.

Inspiring.

Affordable.

Learn more

Filed Under: Quotes for Writers Tagged With: Bradbury quote, Ray Bradbury, Ray Bradbury quote, writing quote, Zen in the Art of Writing

Comments

  1. Lynn Hopper says

    October 21, 2016 at 11:27 am

    I think my writing kept me going, even though it’s not the kind you are talking about. But meeting new people, hearing their stories was definitely an outlet. And of course, getting paid for it was a real bonus!

    Reply
    • Ann Kroeker says

      October 21, 2016 at 5:41 pm

      Yes, yes. A wonderful example of how writing “revitalized” you. It was part of your identity. You knew (and know) how to put words to thoughts, how to cut to the chase, how to make someone else’s writing stronger, and how to do it alongside others who also value writing. Journalists understand we need to read the stories going on around us, celebrate the good things. Journalists, of all people, can see how writing can bring sanity, stability, and energy when surrounded by the depressing news of the day. Good words, Mom. Good words.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach

Providing you with resources and inspiration to be more curious, creative, and productive.

Ad - SiteGround Web Hosting - Crafted for easy site management. Amazing Speed; Powerful Tools; Top-rated support. Learn more.
Make Your Sentences Sing: 7 Sentence Openers to Add Music to Your Prose (Mini Course from Ann Kroeker.Teachable.com)
TWL-100-best-websites-2016-2-300x300

Archives

Categories

Ann Kroeker is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Not every link leads to compensation, but assume that each does.
© 2006-2022 Ann Kroeker All Rights Reserved

instagram twitter facebook pinterest

Landing page graphic and other design elements by Sophie Kroeker.

Privacy Policy · Copyright © 2023