Posts Tagged ‘writing process’
Writing as a way to banish concerns from your mind, according to Dos Passos
“When you write about something you often never think of it again.” —John Dos Passos I’m a big fan of John Dos Passos and his stories about how cruel the reality could be for immigrants arriving in American cities at the turn of the century – and how harsh and solitary life in those…
Read MoreSono fuori di testaaaaa … editing
To borrow from the (catchy) winning performance by the Italian (Roman, to be precise) band Måneskin at the 2021 Eurovision contest: Sono fuori di testaaa (I’m out of my mind). Mine, however, is not twenty-something existential angst about not being able to adequately express my individuality in a world that constantly pressures me to conform.…
Read MoreWriters in a perpetual dream state
“The good thing about writing books is that you can dream while you are awake.” —Haruki Murakami Love these wise words from brilliant Japanese author Haruki Murakami. After all, a writer will go nowhere without an active imagination. And yes, chances are your favorite author has a tendency to daydream at various points throughout the…
Read MoreIn writing as in life, learn from your mistakes
“When it’s finally in print, you’re delivered—you don’t ever have to look at it again. It’s too late to worry about its failings. I’ll have to apply any lessons this book has taught me toward writing the next one.” —Eudora Welty I only just wrote about another brilliant Eudora Welty quote a couple of weeks…
Read MoreChasing perfection
“None of my work has met my own standards.” -William Faulkner Hard to believe one of my favorite authors could be so critical of his masterpieces. William Faulkner (1897 – 1962), one of the great American writers in the southern tradition, was a prolific novelist, short story writer, playwright and essayist. He was the recipient…
Read MoreWho controls whom? Vargas Llosa on characters who have a mind of their own
“It becomes apparent that the author cannot mold characters as he pleases, that they have a certain autonomy.” – Mario Vargas Llosa A wonderfully insighful observation by brilliant Spanish-Peruvian author Mario Vargas Llosa. I doubt many authors would question this wisdom. After all, as writers, you may have clear ideas on how your characters should…
Read MoreThe art and joy of creation
“It’s the most exciting moment when you discover life in what you’ve created.” Mario Vargas Llosa Thoughtful words from Peruvian/Spanish author Mario Vargas Llosa, whose works I’ve long admired. I believe most authors would agree with this sage observation. After all, many of us spend an inordinate amount of time living ‘in our own heads’…
Read MoreCan books teach their authors?
“A good book is more intelligent than its author. It can say things that the writer is not aware of.” -Umberto Eco Yet more wisdom from the recently deceased Italian author Umberto Eco (1932-2016). I’d never thought of this before, but once I read it I knew it to be true. How many of us…
Read MoreThe origins of greatness
“Everything important always begins from something trivial.” – Donald Hall A great quote from the American poet Donald Hall. As any student of history knows, many of the greatest wars and tragedies in history were sparked by events that, with the benefit of hindsight, appear trivial and easy to avoid. Likewise for authors. Howard’s End…
Read MoreHolidays as creative writing time?
I’m not sure how I feel about this. Sometimes as I leave for holidays I have big plans for what I want to accomplish writing-wise. Other departures, I realize that there is very little point in hoping I’ll accomplish anything beyond normal vacation recharging. This year I have writing goals, but I’m not sure how…
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