“Do not follow where the path may lead…Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” ~ Robert Frost
Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart. ~ William Wordsworth
Writing, I think, is not apart from living. Writing is a kind of double living. The writer experiences everything twice. Once in reality and once in that mirror which waits always before or behind. ~ Catherine Drinker Bowen, Atlantic, December 1957
When we see a natural style we are quite amazed and delighted, because we expected to see an author and find a man. ~ Blaise Pascal, Pensées, 1670
You write to communicate to the hearts and minds of others what’s burning inside you. And we edit to let the fire show through the smoke. ~ Arthur Polotnik
Writing is both mask and unveiling. ~ E.B. White
A good novel tells us the truth about its hero; but a bad novel tells us the truth about its author. ~ G.K. Chesterton
One ought only to write when one leaves a piece of one’s own flesh in the inkpot, each time one dips one’s pen. ~ Leo Tolstoy
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on May 17, 2006 - 1:34 pm
“Do not follow where the path may lead…Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” ~ Robert Frost
I enjoy this author muchly. Wonderful wisdom.
You write to communicate to the hearts and minds of others what’s burning inside you. And we edit to let the fire show through the smoke. ~ Arthur Polotnik
I find that I have to leave a piece and come back later to read with fresh eyes. I’ve learned never to rush a writing in order to finish it. Patience often brings a surprise of additional inspiration that I’ve often regretted not adding.
One ought only to write when one leaves a piece of one’s own flesh in the inkpot, each time one dips one’s pen. ~ Leo Tolstoy
Okay, pet peeve here. Using the term - one’s - over and over again, irritates one profusely. Ugh!
on May 18, 2006 - 9:21 pm
Vicki, I love quotes. If you’re ever in the mood to add more to your quotes attic, my website includes an index of quotes, categorized by themes:
http://www.bonniebruno.com/quotes.htm
Enjoy!
on May 19, 2006 - 10:22 pm
“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart…”
that’s a powerful statement.
on May 21, 2006 - 11:05 pm
Sparrow, thanks for taking time to visit and comment. About rewriting, that is exactly what I do, too. Coming back to a piece with fresh eyes is the most sensible thing to do.
~~~
Bonnie, thanks so much for that! I found your quote index once before and need to go back and cull a few. Will add your place to my resources, if you don’t mind!
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Island Sparrow, thanks. I loved it, too.
on May 26, 2006 - 4:57 pm
I love how quotes immortalize timeless thoughts and bring them into focus. Thanks for these!