It's tempting to comment on whatever is hot and trending—to hashtag our way to visibility. It's harder to spot what others miss...to care about it, to bear witness. It's important to pay attention to what others pass by...to see it, capture it, describe it. James Baldwin knew this, practiced this. He wrote: "The importance of a writer is continuous…His importance, … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
Writing Quotes: Ann Patchett on writing as miserable
Is writing a miserable, awful business? Ask the writer sitting in front of the blank screen, staring at the blinking cursor, struggling to begin his piece—his deadline two days away. Ask the writer who opened her email inbox to see a rejection from her dream publication. Ask the writer whose friends keep forwarding a scathing review of his recently released novel, … [Read more...]
Writing Quotes: Joan Didion on writing to find out what is on my mind
Joan Didion understands the role of curiosity and inquiry in the life of a writer and how it leads to understanding and discovery—even discovering oneself. "I write entirely to find out what is on my mind, what I’m thinking, what I’m looking at, what I’m seeing, and what it means." — Joan Didion Source: Trimble, John R. Writing with Style: Conversations on the … [Read more...]
Writing Quotes: Ursula Le Guin on Adjectives and Adverbs
Once a week I'll supply you with a quotation to encourage you in your writing life. I consider them all quotes for writers, even when they aren't obviously about writing. Today's comes from Ursula Le Guin, as she cautions us to avoid overindulging. Adjectives and adverbs are rich and good and fattening. The main thing is not to overindulge. — Ursula … [Read more...]
