As a rule of thumb I say, if Socrates, Jesus and Tolstoy wouldn't do it, don't. John Gardner More Quotes by John Gardner More Quotes From John Gardner Self pity is easily the most destructive of the non-pharmaceutical narcotics; it is addictive, gives momentary pleasure and separates the victim from reality. John Gardner self giving reality We read five words on the first page of a really good novel and we begin to forget that we are reading printed words on a page; we begin to see images. John Gardner printed-word reading writing What art ought to do is tell stories which are moment-by-moment wonderful, which are true to human experience, and which in no way explain human experience. John Gardner stories way art People will tell you that writing is too difficult, that it's impossible to get your work published, that you might as well hang yourself. Meanwhile, they'll keep writing and you'll have hanged yourself. John Gardner writing might people The citizen can bring our political and governmental institutions back to life, make them responsive and accountable, and keep them honest. No one else can. John Gardner patriotic democracy political One of the many interesting challenges nature presents us is its apparent disinterest in maintaining the order humans crave. John Gardner challenges order interesting As every writer knows... there is something mysterious about the writer's ability, on any given day, to write. When the juices are flowing, or the writer is 'hot', an invisible wall seems to fall away, and the writer moves easily and surely from one kind of reality to another... Every writer has experienced at least moments of this strange, magical state. Reading student fiction one can spot at once where the power turns on and where it turns off, where the writer writes from 'inspiration' or deep, flowing vision, and where he had to struggle along on mere intellect. John Gardner wall struggle moving A common and usually unfortunate answer is “Write about what you know.” Nothing can be more limiting to the imagination, nothing is quicker to turn on the psyche's censoring devices and distortion systems, than trying to write truthfully. John Gardner imagination knows writing Art, of course, is a way of thinking, a way of mining reality. John Gardner reality art thinking An excellent plumber is infinitely more admirable than an incompetent philosopher. The society which scorns excellence in plumbing because plumbing is a humble activity and tolerates shoddiness in philosophy because it is an exalted activity will have neither good plumbing nor good philosophy. Neither its pipes nor its theories will hold water. John Gardner humble water philosophy The true artist plays mad with his soul, labors at the very lip of the volcano, but remembers and clings to his purpose, which is as strong as the dream. He is not someone possessed, like Cassandra, but a passionate, easily tempted explorer who fully intends to get home again, like Odysseus. John Gardner strong dream home One must be just a little crazy to write a great novel. One must be capable of allowing the darkest, most ancient and shrewd parts of one’s being to take over the work from time to time. John Gardner crazy writing littles Fiction does not spring into the world fully grown, like Athena. It is the process of writing and rewriting that makes a fiction original, if not profound. John Gardner inspiration writing spring Art Gropes. It stalks like a hunter lost in the woods, listening to itself and to everything around it, unsure of itself, waiting to pounce. John Gardner waiting writing art When people are serving, life is no longer meaningless. John Gardner thoughtful kindness people The primary subject of fiction is and has always been human emotion, values, and beliefs. John Gardner emotion belief fiction Talking, talking. Spinning a web of words, pale walls of dreams, between myself and all I see. John Gardner spinning-around wall dream Poor Grendel's had an accident. So may you all. John Gardner accidents poor may Our noblest hopes grow teeth and pursue us like tigers. John Gardner pursue teeth grows The image-managers encourage the individual to fashion himself into a smooth coin, negotiable in any market. John Gardner coins fashion business
