Quotes by Writing Close the door. Write with no one looking over your shoulder. Don't try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It's the one and only thing you have to offer. Barbara Kingsolver being-alonewritinglife Literature is one of the few kinds of writing in the world that does not tell you what to buy, want, see, be, or believe. It's more like conversation, raising new questions and inspiring you to answer them for yourself. Barbara Kingsolver writingbelievemoving Because I write fiction that is based in the real world, it's going to lead people into some of the modern dilemmas and concerns and even catastrophes that they will think about in a new way. Barbara Kingsolver realwritingthinking I learned to write by reading the kind of books I wished I'd written. Barbara Kingsolver readingwritingbook Don't wait for the muse. She has a lousy work ethic. Writers just write. Barbara Kingsolver work-ethicwaitingwriting Literature duplicates the experience of living in a way that nothing else can, drawing you so fully into another life that you temporarily forget you have one of your own. That is why you read it, and might even sit up in bed till early dawn, throwing your whole tomorrow out of whack, simply to find out what happens to some people who, you know perfectly well, are made up. Barbara Kingsolver drawingwritingpeople It's a funny thing: people often ask how I discipline myself to write. I can't begin to understand the question. For me, the discipline is turning off the computer and leaving my desk to do something else. Barbara Kingsolver funny-thingsdisciplinewriting I'm widest awake as a writer doing something new, engaged in a process I'm not sure I can finish, generating at the edge of my powers. Some people bungee jump; I write. Barbara Kingsolver something-newwritingpeople It is harrowing for me to try to teach 20-year-old students, who earnestly want to improve their writing. The best I can think to tell them is: Quit smoking, and observe posted speed limits. This will improve your odds of getting old enough to be wise. Barbara Kingsolver wisewritingthinking There is no perfect time to write. There is only now. Barbara Kingsolver perfectwriting I concentrate on character, theme, language, structure, voice. It actually surprises me that no matter what I write, people declare it "intently political." I'm just writing about the world I know, as it is. Wounds and griefs included. Barbara Kingsolver griefwritingcharacter This manuscript of yours that has just come back from another editor is a precious package. Don't consider it rejected. Consider that you've addressed it 'to the editor who can appreciate my work' and it has simply come back stamped 'Not at this address'. Just keep looking for the right address. Barbara Kingsolver appreciateeditorswriting Write a nonfiction book, and be prepared for the legion of readers who are going to doubt your fact. But write a novel, and get ready for the world to assume every word is true. Barbara Kingsolver doubtwritingbook The artist deals with what cannot be said in words. The novelist says in words what cannot be said in words. Barbara Kingsolver novelistsartistwriting I never think that anything I'm writing is bluntly political in any way. I'm not going for commentary. Barbara Kingsolver politicalwritingthinking I know I'm a rare person, a trained scientist who writes fiction, because so few contemporary novelists engage with science. Barbara Kingsolver rare-personnovelistswriting It takes some courage to write fiction about politically controversial topics. The dread is you'll be labeled a political writer. Barbara Kingsolver controversial-topicspoliticalwriting Silence has many advantages…I write and draw in my notebook and I read anything I please. Barbara Kingsolver notebooksilencewriting I struggle with confidence, every time. I’m never completely sure I can write another book. Maybe my scope is too grand, my questions too hard, surely readers won’t want to follow me here. A novel is like a cathedral, it knocks you down to size when you enter into it. Barbara Kingsolver strugglewritingbook He had senile dementia and liked to go outside naked, but he could still do two things perfectly: win at checkers and write out prescriptions. Barbara Kingsolver winningwritingfunny«125126127128129130131132133134135»
