“Why do you stay in prisonwhen the door is so wide open? Move outside the tangle of fear-thinking.Live in silence.” Jalal ad-Din Rumi I just handed in my first packet of work for this semester, so I feel I have been away from my blog for a long time.I’ve done a lot of writing the… Continue reading Why I’ll continue to journal
Tag: writing quotes
Can You Be Discouraged?
It is impossible to discourage the real writers – they don’t give a damn what you say, they’re going to write. ~Sinclair Lewis I can get pretty down on myself when I’m depressed about my lack of progress as a writer, when I find work I’ve written 3 years ago that was ready to send… Continue reading Can You Be Discouraged?
What’s That Smell?
Nothing stinks like a pile of unpublished writing. Sylvia Plath. 2007 is almost over and although I’m reminded by friends that I accomplished a lot this year, I am hard on myself and want to be sitting here with more clips, published works, and money to show for it.Do you have writing that just needs… Continue reading What’s That Smell?
Who Are You Writing For?
Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self. – Cyril Connorly I think many writers fall into this mindset when faced with fear or insecurity. Their writing is not good enough, they’ll never be published, they can’t make money at this unless they write… Continue reading Who Are You Writing For?
Stone by Stone
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 Without a doubt writing is a skill and although this is a new quote to me the picture of a handmade stone fence being a… Continue reading Stone by Stone
The Right Form of the Story
There are some books that refuse to be written. They stand their ground year after year and will not be persuaded. It isn’t because the book is not there and worth being written — it is only because the right form of the story does not present itself. There is only one right form for… Continue reading The Right Form of the Story
What Do You Have to Say?
Close the door. Write with no one looking over your shoulder. Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It’s the one and only thing you have to offer.Barbara Kingsolver I think this is the hardest for the beginning writer. The beginning writer… Continue reading What Do You Have to Say?
Write a Poem and Submit it
A poem begins with a lump in the throat. ~Robert Frost If you find that even writing one page is too daunting, try writing a poem. A poem can be the bridge from lumpy throat to finished work. A poem can slowly ease you into another day of writing.For inspiration read some poems from the… Continue reading Write a Poem and Submit it
Anticipation
Writing became such a process of discovery that I couldn’t wait to get to work in the morning: I wanted to know what I was going to say. ~Sharon O’Brien Did you ever find a piece of your writing that is so good, you don’t ever remember writing it? Find those bits today, the great… Continue reading Anticipation