“Everything is held together with stories. That is all that is holding us together, stories and compassion.”
– Barry Lopez, American essayist and short-story writer (b. 1945)
My favs: Of Wolves and Men, and Desert Notes/River Notes,
with the essay Lessons From the Wolverine.
(Photo from the author’s website.)
“Man seeks to escape himself in myth, and does so by any means at his disposal. Drugs, alcohol, or lies. Unable to withdraw into himself, he disguises himself. Lies and inaccuracy give him a few moments of comfort.”
— Jean Cocteau, French man of arts and letters (1889-1963) (pictured in 1923)
An explanation for the appeal of crime — and of story? Hmmm.
Thanks to P.J. Coldren for the quote.
(Photo from Wikipedia)
“That was the moment I changed from an amateur to a professional. I assumed the burden of the professional which is to write even when you don’t want to, don’t much like what you are writing, and aren’t writing particularly well.”
– Agatha Christie, in her autobiography 
I was searching for a quote in my collection and found this one three times. Obviously, I really, really needed to read it–again and again. Maybe sharing it will help me remember!
(Photo from the official Christie website.)
“In writing, do not let a hair’s breadth separate your self from the subject. Speak your mind directly; go to it without wandering thoughts.”
– Basho, Japanese Haiku master (1644-1694)
To write, you must read.
“Learn of the pine from the pine; learn of the bamboo from the bamboo.”
– Basho, Japanese Haiku master (1644-1694)
“For all I know, writing comes out of a superior devotion to reading.”
– Eudora Welty, American novelist and short story writer (1909-2001)
What a font of inspiration you all are! Several of you took a quote that on the surface doesn’t relate to writing, and applied it to the craft and process of writing. Well-done! As Goethe said, “Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it!”
The paw has spoken: Mr. Kitten has drawn the winner: Jenn Mitchell! Congratulations, Jenn! Send me your land mail address (Leslie AT LawandFiction DOT com), and Mr. Kitten and I will send you a signed copy of Books, Crooks & Counselors!
“Writing is the only I thing I do that, when I do it, I don’t feel like I should be doing something else.”
— Gloria Steinem
She’s a goddess.
“Be a scribe! Your body will be sleek, your hand will be soft…. You are one who sits grandly in your house; your servants answer speedily; beer is poured copiously; all who see you rejoice in good cheer. Happy is the heart of him who writes; he is young each day.”
Ptahotep, 4500 B.C.
(I can’t vouch for its authenticity, but isn’t it great anyway?)
When I spotted this observation by Carolyn Wheat while rereading her terrific book, How to Write Killer Fiction, I immediately knew I had to pair it with the classic advice from a master, E.L. Doctorow:
“Writing the middle of a novel is a lot like driving through Texas. You think it’s never going to end, and all the scenery looks the same.”
– Carolyn Wheat
“Writing a novel is like driving at night. You can only see as far as the headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.”
– E.L. Doctorow
Wishing you a terrific journey in 2012!