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Don’t quote me…
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But I am going to be guest-blogging on Romance by the Blog on January 8th, as the chapter grand prize winner of Avon FanLit. Sara Dennis is scheduled for the 12th, I think.
I’m still not sure when I’ll be going to New York – with a three-month-old baby, I’m not in a real rush, either to take him along or leave him behind. As soon as a date is set, I’ll let you all know.
So speaking of quotes, CM’s blog brought to mind one of my favorite writing quotes, shared with me by a journalism professor eons ago:
“It’s hell writing and it’s hell not writing. The only tolerable state is having just written.” —Robert Hass.
I love that quote, because it lets me know that I am not alone in having a contentious relationship with my keyboard. When people say they “love to write,” I really don’t know what they mean. For me, writing is like picking a scab. It’s slow and messy and painful, but just irresistible in some grotesque, masochistic way.
What are your favorite quotes on writing?
November 30th, 2006 at 8:30 am · Link
Eve,
Send me a reminder in January about your guest-bloggin on Romance by the Blog.
Favourite quote I do have. I remember the first time I read it, it struck me so strongly I remembered it verbatim.
There’s nothing to writing. All you have to do is sit down at a typewriter and open up a vein. – Walter Smith
Sometimes it does feel like that but the reward when it’s complete is so worth it.
Bev
November 30th, 2006 at 1:01 pm · Link
Do the ones I made up myself count?
Alice
November 30th, 2006 at 2:14 pm · Link
Yep. . . definately remind us when to tune in!
I know what you mean about being hesitant to leave your little one (or take them with for that matter) — I’ve had to leave mine with my husband a couple of times, I miss them like crazy but, when I get back, I’m so glad I had the chance to go!
My favorite writing quotes:
Ant Jan Christensen’s writer’s mantra: write,submit, write, submit
And a quote that I thought was one of Mark Twains, but maybe not: The only difference between a published writer and an unpublished writer is PERSISTENCE.
December 2nd, 2006 at 4:58 pm · Link
I am chiming in with a reminder request – you must let us know the exact date!
My favorite writing quote is:
“The beautiful part of writing is that you don’t have to get it right the first time, unlike, say, brain surgery.” – Robert Cormier.
That pretty much sums up my writing philosophy. I am such a fan of writing dreck first and worrying about fixing it later.
December 2nd, 2006 at 9:18 pm · Link
Hi Tessa!
Three months old! That is so sweet…~! I just had to go to NYC recently and I left my one year old with my mom.. I thought she would be happier, and I wouldn’t worry as much about her. But, I think the other way would work too, if you brought a doting fam member with you :O).
Anyway.. I love Romance by the Blog… there is a Squawk week coming up on there I think right before you go on! I can’t wait for all of it.
December 6th, 2006 at 11:57 pm · Link
Well I love every sentence Ursula K. le Guin has ever written about writing. But this one always stays in my mind:
The whole thing, writing a story, is a high-wire act – there you are out in midair walking on a spiderweb line of words, and down in the darkness people are watching. What can you trust but your sense of balance?