Today’s Quote
Sep
26, 2011 |Filed in:
Uncategorized
I thought this so profound, I wanted to share it with those of you who aren’t following the Book Doctors:
Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self. – Cyril Connolly
Do you have a favorite writing quote? What does it do for you, or why is it your favorite?
I don't have a favourite writing quote. My list keeps changing.
Mine, too, Rachna. It's one of the reasons why I'm enjoying my "internship" so much. I keep finding wonderful quotes and ideas. I will say my favorite inspirational poem remains Shakespeare's 29th sonnet. It's NOT about writing, but when I think of it in terms of my relationship with God and my writing, it never fails to pick me up:
When, in disgrace with Fortune and men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,
Desiring this man's art, and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least,
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate
For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings,
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.
Victoria, I have a question instead of a quote, if you are kind enough to answer. I write about Tea in my Chinese novel and some one told me that …
"Long ago in China, tea was an ingredient in immortality potions."
I google for Tea and immortality in China and can't verify it. Did you heard about tea and immortality before? Thanks
Wow, hadn't heard about that, but I wouldn't be surprised since a lot of the potions would have been drunk. They probably brewed the potion part and poured it into a cup of tea, is my guess. I know mercury was a frequent ingredient, if that helps.
Thanks. Some people drink tea in China for good health and long life, but didn't find yet about immortal life.
If you didn't know how Tea was discovered first time in the world, here is the Chinese version:
About 4,700 years ago the second emperor of China was drinking a cup of hot water, and suddenly tea leaves blew into his cup .. and drinking tea was born for the first time.
Thanks! 🙂 I suspect there were a few peasants in the middle of the process, but it's a good story. 😀
My favorite is from Neil Gaiman: "Make mistakes. Make great mistakes, make wonderful mistakes, make glorious mistakes. Better to make a hundred mistakes than to stare at a blank piece of paper too scared to do anything wrong, too scared to do anything."
I don't really have favorite quotes, although the one you shared is very wise. It sums up why I always write for myself first.
That's a great one from Gaiman, Barbara Ann! Thanks! I love his work for the most part. 😀
Hi, Misha. I don't know that I have very many favorite QUOTES, either. I have favorite books and poems (see what I quoted earlier from Shakespeare), but I suspect different quotes will speak to me at various points in my life. ;D I'm not sure what it says about me and my current situation that this one touched me so much….
Love this quote. Putting it above my computer right now!
i have a few ones but they aint from books or anything like that.
"age is just a excuse to stop pushing yourself further"
"just because you cant see it, doesnt mean its not there"
i dont remember where i got them from but i know that they been on my mind for a long time now
Glad you liked, Cat! 😀
I like those, Tony. The first one reminds me of the lyrics to a favorite song: "Impossible is not a word. It's just another reason for someone not to try." I can't tell you how many people have told me a project I'm working on is impossible. Sometimes I wish they'd stop, because proving them wrong has taken a LONG time. LOL
I really like that! It's so easy to forget when you go about the BUSINESS of writing.
I can't think of a favorite quote now on writing specifically, but plenty where it comes to the topic of failure. 🙂
We'll take those, too, Janet. 🙂 I'm trying to remind myself that just because I'm not a published novelist doesn't mean I'm a failure. I AM a novelist and the rest will follow in God's time, not mine. Must remember that when waiting becomes painful again. ;D