Thursday, September 19, 2013

Quoth the Writer

In this quote round-up, instead of giving quotes from many different writers, I'm going to quote a few favorites more at length. Hope you enjoy these:

From Lucy Maud Montgomery --
  • I am simply a 'book drunkard.' Books have the same irresistible temptation for me that liquor has for its devotee. I cannot withstand them.
  • Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It's splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world.
  • I am very careful to be shallow and conventional where depth and originality are wasted.
  • Truth exists, only lies have to be invented.
  • Don't you know that it is only the very foolish folk who talk sense all the time?
From Madeleine L'Engle --
  • Some things have to be believed to be seen.
  • Inspiration usually comes during work rather than before it. 
  • You can't be a writer if you're not a reader.
  • Creative scientists and saints expect revelation and do not fear it. Neither do children.
  • It takes too much energy to be against something unless it's really important.
From Louisa May Alcott --
  • She is too fond of books, and it has turned her brain.
  • The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely.
  • Love is a great beautifier.
  • Strong convictions precede great actions.
  • Some books are so familiar that reading them is like being home again. 
Which of these do you like best? Do you have a current favorite quote?

21 comments:

Faith E. Hough said...

It's a little eerie seeing a list of favorite authors and quotes that I could have compiled myself! So I guess I'll have to say that #2 is my favorite today, since it seems most relevant.

Vijaya said...

Oh, goodness, kindred spirits is my favorite of what you've posted!

Lately: Be still ...

Barbara Watson said...

I especially like the one about inspriation coming during work and a familiar book is like being home. Good words, Marcia. Thank you.

Leandra Wallace said...

Second the being home quote. It's a great one!

Marcia said...

Faith -- :)
I think the one that strikes me freshest today is, "Inspiration usually comes during work rather than before it."

Vijaya -- Ah, yes. Be still...

Barbara -- We're on the same wavelength, I see. :)

Leandra -- I find the "being home" quote truest when I reread childhood favorites.

Mirka Breen said...

"•Don't you know that it is only the very foolish folk who talk sense all the time?"

Ha! Maybe I'm not a total idiot, after all.

Anonymous said...

These are all great. My favorite is "I am simply a 'book drunkard.' Books have the same irresistible temptation for me that liquor has for its devotee. I cannot withstand them."

JoyceHostetter said...

For me it is certainly true that "Inspiration usually comes during work rather than before it."

A favorite quote of mine is Mark Twains' "Travel is fatal to prejudice,bigotry and narrow-mindedness."













Marcia said...

Mirka -- This is one of those quotes that makes me think, "Some people need to hear this." :)

Medeia -- Isn't the whole idea of "withstanding" books interesting?

Joyce -- This is why I outline while writing the first draft. That's when the best ideas come. And I totally believe that about travel.

Kelly Polark said...

I adore Madeline L'Engle!

My favorite on this post though is "Truth exists, only lies have to be invented."

Marcia said...

Kelly -- Yup, the truth came first. :)

Bish Denham said...

I snorted at this one. Love it!

"I am very careful to be shallow and conventional where depth and originality are wasted."

Janet said...

Truth exists, only lies have to be invented, is neat. I guess fiction writers are good inventors. And I love the Louisa May Alcott quotes.

Janet Johnson said...

What great quotes! And all wonderful authors. I think I like this one from L.M. Montgomery:

"I am very careful to be shallow and conventional where depth and originality are wasted."

Maybe I've been in too many of these situations lately, but I really like this. Thanks for sharing!

Kelly Hashway said...

I totally agree with "You can't be a writer if you're not a reader." Reading is the best research for your craft.

Marcia said...

Bish -- Yes, I'm glad there's a time and place for shallow and conventional. :)

Janet -- Or maybe good channelers of truth? :)

Janet J -- I like that observation that we don't have to be deep all the time, especially when it's, well, wasted.

Kelly -- Yep, #1 requirement!

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

You can't be a writer if you're not a reader. Is probably my favorite one...

My lifetime favorite is "Never, never, never give up," by Winston Churchill.

Kim Van Sickler said...

This one cracked me up: I am very careful to be shallow and conventional where depth and originality are wasted.

We have to conserve our strength, right?

Marcia said...

Sharon -- I don't bet I could ever find just one lifetime quote, but that's a good one.

Kim -- It made me laugh, too, and I think conserving strength is what it's about!

Jaye Robin Brown said...

I like the L'Engle quote about inspiration coming during work not before it! :0)

Marcia said...

Jaye -- Me too! It really validates how I work. :)