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Share the Writing Love

I have posted a few of my favorite quotes on writing on this blog, including this one on revision that I keep posted on my computer monitor and this one by Annie Dillard, one of my all-time and long-time favorites, which is actually a passage from her wonderful book, The Writing Life. I plan to post more quotes on writing in the future, probably when I can't think of anything else to write about.

I would really love for people to share their own favorite quotes on writing here on Gienna Writes. Include the quote and its source. And maybe say something about why you like it. Any quote on any topic do do with writing would be great.

You can share your quotes in one of two ways. You can post a comment on this post by clicking on the link below. Or you can send me an email using the contact link on my profile page and I will post it for you. For more complete directions on leaving comments on posts, check out my rant on leaving comments on Gienna Rants.

While you're at it, help me think of a better headline for this post, will you please?


2 comments:

StuckHereWithNoTV said...

I have two; sorry I'm so indecisive.

"At one time I thought the most important thing was talent. I think now that the young man or the young woman must possess or teach himself, training himself, in infinite patience, which is to try and to try until it comes right. He must train himself in ruthless intolerance--that is to throw away anything that is false no matter how much he might love that page or that paragraph. The most important thing is insight, that is to be--curiosity--to wonder, to mull, and to muse why it is that man does what he does, and if you have that, then I don't think the talent makes much difference, whether you've got it or not." - William Faulkner

I love the concepts of relentless training and curiosity in this quote, but am a bit confused with where I stand on talent. I've read other essays from authors who believe that no matter how hard you work, talent still makes a difference on whether someone is a good writer or not so good of a writer. And granted this is William Faulkner giving the advice here, I still don't know what to think... I'm such a youngin'. :)

"Every man usually has something he can do better than anyone else. Usually it is reading his own handwriting." - Unknown

Obviously this guy hasn't met me and my daily, constant struggle to read my own lecture notes after class.

October 10, 2004
Jen said...

Well, I'm partial to:

Only a mediocre writer is always at his best.
-- Maugham

Writing is like prostitution. First you do it for love, and then for a few close friends, and then for money.
-- Moliere

I get a fine warm feeling when I'm doing well, but that pleasure is pretty much negated by the pain of getting started each day. Let's face it, writing is hell.
-- William Styron

October 15, 2004

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