Quintessential Quotes: #writingwisdom–Writealready2017

"...there is something disconcerting to the writer in the instinct which causes him to take an interest in the singularities of human nature so absorbing that his moral sense is powerless against it. He recognises in himself an artistic satisfaction in the contemplation of evil which a little startles him; but sincerity forces him to …

Quintessential Quotes: #writingwisdom–Writealready2017

"...the writer should seek his reward in the pleasure of his work and in release from the burden of his thought; and, indifferent to aught else, care nothing for praise or censure, failure or success."--W. Somerset Maugham, The Moon and Sixpence

Quintessential Quotes: #writingwisdom–Writealready2017

"It's hard for me to believe that people who read very little (or not at all in some cases) should presume to write and expect people to like what they have written, but I know it's true."--Stephen King, On Writing

Quintessential Quotes: #writingwisdom–Writealready2017

"No matter what, you are probably going to have to let bad things happen to some . of the characters you love or you won't have much of a story."--Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird

Quintessential Quotes: #writingwisdom–Writealready2017

"Art is a manifestation of emotion, and emotion speaks a language that all may understand."--W. Somerset Maugham, The Moon and Sixpence

Quintessential Quotes: #writingwisdom–Writealready2017

"(A writer) learns most clearly what not to do by reading bad prose."--Stephen King, On Writing

Quintessential Quotes: #writingwisdom–Writealready2017

"You are going to love some of your characters, because they are you or some facet of you,  and you are going to hate some of your characters for the same reason."--Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird

Quintessential Quotes: #writingwisdom–Writealready2017

"Knowledge of your characters...emerges the way a Polaroid develops: it takes time for you to know them."--Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird

Quintessential Quotes: #writingwisdom–Writealready2017

"Almost everyone can remember losing his or her virginity, and most writers can remember the first book he/she put down thinking: I can do better than this. Hell, I am doing better than this! What could be more encouraging to the struggling writer than to realize his/her work is unquestionably better than that of someone who …

Quintessential Quotes: #writingwisdom–Writealready2017

"If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot...I don't read in order to study the craft; I read because I like to read...I don't read fiction to study the art of fiction, but simply because I like stories...Every book you pick …