Quoteskimming
It's a term I've just coined to describe what I'm about to do: Gank a few writing-related quotes from here and there.
Here: From the book Possession by A.S. Byatt, which I read this week and which nearly made me decide that I should never try to write anything because, damn, Byatt's one creative, smart writer*:
"What makes me a Poet, and not a novelist--is to do with the singing of the Language itself. For the difference between poets and novelists is this--that the former write for the life of the language--and the latter write for the betterment of the world." (p. 147) I found that one thought-provoking, and while I agree that poets are all about language and word choices and the like, I'm not sure that I agree with the overly simplistic conclusion. Then again, Byatt is a novelist. Still, I figured it was worth mentioning and, perhaps, discussing.
"You are a Poet and in the end must care only for your own views" (p. 181) True. So, so true.
And I can't share with you the full bit on the subject of reading from later in the book, but on pages 510-512, there is a lovely essay (as it were) on the pleasures of reading. It is worth seeking out, my friends. I won't even try to characterize it here because to do so would be a grave disservice.
There: From Jane Austen, for those of you having trouble moving ahead with your writing projects: "I am not at all in a humour for writing; I must write on till I am." From a letter to her sister, Cassandra, in October, 1813.
For those who value craft, whether in art or writing: "I hope George was pleased with my designs. Perhaps they would have suited him as well had they been less elaborately finished; but an artist cannot do anything slovenly." Emphasis mine. From a letter to her sister, Cassandra, in November 1798.
Once upon a time, I kept a little journal full of quotes I found inspiring. I started it in high school, and kept going until after college, then sort of packed it away. I think I may revive it by adding these bits in there.
*My determination that Byatt was terribly intelligent was tarnished by her assertion that adults who read and enjoy the Harry Potter books must be fairly stupid (my inference) and lacking in imagination (a fair characterization of what she wrote). I cannot but help thinking that she has not actually read the HP books, and that she lacks a bit of imagination herself if she finds them to be as limited as she claims. Still, her accomplishment in Possession is jaw-droppingly wunderbar.
Here: From the book Possession by A.S. Byatt, which I read this week and which nearly made me decide that I should never try to write anything because, damn, Byatt's one creative, smart writer*:
"What makes me a Poet, and not a novelist--is to do with the singing of the Language itself. For the difference between poets and novelists is this--that the former write for the life of the language--and the latter write for the betterment of the world." (p. 147) I found that one thought-provoking, and while I agree that poets are all about language and word choices and the like, I'm not sure that I agree with the overly simplistic conclusion. Then again, Byatt is a novelist. Still, I figured it was worth mentioning and, perhaps, discussing.
"You are a Poet and in the end must care only for your own views" (p. 181) True. So, so true.
And I can't share with you the full bit on the subject of reading from later in the book, but on pages 510-512, there is a lovely essay (as it were) on the pleasures of reading. It is worth seeking out, my friends. I won't even try to characterize it here because to do so would be a grave disservice.
There: From Jane Austen, for those of you having trouble moving ahead with your writing projects: "I am not at all in a humour for writing; I must write on till I am." From a letter to her sister, Cassandra, in October, 1813.
For those who value craft, whether in art or writing: "I hope George was pleased with my designs. Perhaps they would have suited him as well had they been less elaborately finished; but an artist cannot do anything slovenly." Emphasis mine. From a letter to her sister, Cassandra, in November 1798.
Once upon a time, I kept a little journal full of quotes I found inspiring. I started it in high school, and kept going until after college, then sort of packed it away. I think I may revive it by adding these bits in there.
*My determination that Byatt was terribly intelligent was tarnished by her assertion that adults who read and enjoy the Harry Potter books must be fairly stupid (my inference) and lacking in imagination (a fair characterization of what she wrote). I cannot but help thinking that she has not actually read the HP books, and that she lacks a bit of imagination herself if she finds them to be as limited as she claims. Still, her accomplishment in Possession is jaw-droppingly wunderbar.