Thanks for sharing this article. I especially enjoyed Marcel Proust’s quote. I’ve been feeling unmotivated to work on my writing lately and I’ve been thinking it is correlated with the fact that lately, I haven’t been an active reader. Some of the quotes reminded me how integral reading the works of others is to fueling your own writing.
Reading is so important. It’s why most of us became writers in the first place, yes? Reading others’ works whilst actively writing your own stuff can be a delicate balance, and we all have to figure out what works for us, but I think it is important for our own artistry to keep on reading away.
“Do not do so as an academic critic, nor as a person drunk on art, nor as a barbarian in the literary market place. Do so as a sensitive person who has a few practical hunches about how stories can succeed or fail. Praise or damn as you please, but do so rather flatly, pragmatically, with cunning attention to annoying or gratifying details. Be yourself. Be unique. Be a good editor. The Universe needs more good editors, God knows.”
I like this post, and I love John Waters’ points… Great photo of him, too!
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I would frame that photo and hang it on my wall if I could!
I liked the article so much that I had to post a link.
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Thanks for sharing this article. I especially enjoyed Marcel Proust’s quote. I’ve been feeling unmotivated to work on my writing lately and I’ve been thinking it is correlated with the fact that lately, I haven’t been an active reader. Some of the quotes reminded me how integral reading the works of others is to fueling your own writing.
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Reading is so important. It’s why most of us became writers in the first place, yes? Reading others’ works whilst actively writing your own stuff can be a delicate balance, and we all have to figure out what works for us, but I think it is important for our own artistry to keep on reading away.
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This is very good advice:
“Do not do so as an academic critic, nor as a person drunk on art, nor as a barbarian in the literary market place. Do so as a sensitive person who has a few practical hunches about how stories can succeed or fail. Praise or damn as you please, but do so rather flatly, pragmatically, with cunning attention to annoying or gratifying details. Be yourself. Be unique. Be a good editor. The Universe needs more good editors, God knows.”
I think that applies to all art forms! 🙂
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So true! I loved the article. It was interesting reading everyone’s different perspectives. I particularly like the passage you highlighted. 🙂
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