10 More Quotes on Writing to Make a Writer Think
March 13th 2008 10:07
Words of Wit and Wisdom from Literary Minds
The following is another collection of writing quotes for us writers to enjoy. They come straight from the minds of a few of the well-known writers who have gone before. Without a doubt, these literary personalities have a great deal of collective knowledge and experience to share with us. So, fellow writers, sit back, read, learn, and enjoy--and perhaps you'll receive a spark of inspiration from their words, as well.
The Quotes
1. A writer and nothing else; a man alone in a room with the English language, trying to get human feelings right. ~ John K. Hutchens ~
2. The greatest part of a writer's time is spent in reading, in order to write; a man will turn over half a library to make one book. ~ Samuel Johnson ~
3. Never write anything that does not give you great pleasure. Emotion is easily transferred from the writer to the reader. ~ Joseph Joubert ~
4. Writing is the incurable itch that possesses many. ~ (Decimus Junius Juvenalis) Juvenal ~
5. The cure for writers cramp is writer's block. ~ Inigo de Leon ~
6. As I take up my pen I feel myself so full, so equal to my subject, and see my book so clearly before me in embryo, I would almost like to try to say it all in a single word. ~ Georg C. Lichtenberg ~
7. Writing crystallizes thought and thought produces action. ~ Paul J. Meyer ~
8. I am always interested in why young people become writers, and from talking with many I have concluded that most do not want to be writers working eight and ten hours a day and accomplishing little; they want to have been writers, garnering the rewards of having completed a best-seller. They aspire to the rewards of writing but not to the travail. ~ James A. Michener ~
9. Writing is the hardest way of earning a living, with the possible exception of wrestling alligators. ~ Olin Miller ~
10. Like stones, words are laborious and unforgiving, and the fitting of them together, like the fitting of stones, demands great patience and strength of purpose and particular skill. ~ Edmund Morrison ~
The Effect of these Quotes on the Writer
Hope these quotes have spoken to you in one way or another. Perhaps they've struck a chord that brought a truth home to you in an especially poignant way. Perhaps you were able to relate a quoted thought to your own experience. Or possibly one of these sayings taught you a truth you never understood before. Even if your only reaction to reading them was a smile, a nod, or a few moments of entertainment, they will have served their purpose.
Yet, the best result that could come from these sayings would be that they send you to your keyboard with a renewed desire...to write!
Happy writing!
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? Have any favorite quotes about writing that you'd like to add? We'd love to hear them--as well as your thoughts about these!
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Comment by The Daily Sonnet
The Daily Sonnet
Lots of Sonnets
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Now that you mention it, carpal tunnel might very well be considered the modern equivalent of writer's cramp. (Clever observation!) The only difference is that it's harder to get rid of. Writer's cramp certainly couldn't hurt, though!
Welcome to Writer's Notes, and thanks for the visit!
Jeanne
Comment by krissyknox
Writing crystallizes thought and thought produces action. ~ Paul J. Meyer ~
I like writing that produces action! Some write to entertain, and for many other purposes. That is fine. I write to educate and to produce action. So I can relate to Paul Meyer.
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Great to see you! Thanks so much for sharing your favorite quote from the list! I, too, like this one! One of the greatest privileges we enjoy as writers is the ability to inspire action in our readers.
Thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts!!
Jeanne
Comment by Laura Spencer
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
I just love quotes--so I'm always happy whenever I come across some "new" ones that relate to writing!
Thanks for stopping by!
Jeanne
Comment by Ellen Weber
I especially liked . number 7 -- "Writing crystallizes thought and thought produces action." ~ Paul J. Meyer ~
It would be interesting to dig up facts about how thought changes writing and the other way around. A challenging site -- and thanks for nudges toward writing that generates action
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Glad you've been inspired by these quotes! I agree that the one on thought/action is fascinating! I particularly love Meyer's choice of the word "crystallizes." I think it's so true that the process of writing down our ideas brings greater clarity to our thoughts on the topics about which we write--if for no other reason than that we must ponder them more deeply to express them in writing, examining them from many angles we might not otherwise consider.
It would indeed be interesting to explore the relationship between thought --> writing --> action! And aspiring to the sort of writing that inspires (positive) action is certainly a worthwhile pursuit!
Thanks so much for your visit--and your input!
Jeanne