Ernest Hemingway once said “All American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn. There was nothing before. There has been nothing as good since.” As much as we love our Ernest, we beg to differ. It’s not just the amazing books Americans have written, which cause us to contradict Papa’s viewpoint. It’s the words of wisdom these masters have shared about their craft.
John Steinbeck
Ernest Hemingway
Elmore Leonard
Toni Morrison
Stephen King
Henry Miller
F. Scott Fitzgerald
This is the inspiration I needed to continue working on my book. Thank you for this awesome post.
Cool, what are you writing? I was thinking of writing one. 🙂
But I will never Kill my darling as Stephen King saying 🙂
Every writer must inevitably at some point or another cut up their baby. Be it a line we really love, or a section that resonates with us but not so much with the story we’re trying to tell, you always have to give up something in the creative process.
That’s what King was talking about. If you’re not strong enough to do it yourself, get yourself a really good editor.
Not to be catty, but it explains a lot about his writing. That’s the terrible thing about giving writing advice: it brings such a terrible scrutiny onto one’s own.
also check these top 10 Inspirational Quotes by Steve Jobs: http://www.zurmat.com/2011/10/07/top-10-inspirational-quotes-by-steve-jobs/ 🙂
Writing is magical. I love reading the insights of some of my favorite authors. Thanks.
Writing really is magical, for both writer and reader; the difference being: nothing. Magic is magic.
It’s beautiful. I am gonna bookmark this.
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Very cool little snippets. I love King’s advice, and the bit about exclamation points makes a lot of sense.
I wish he would take it hismelf.
“Kill your darlings” was a Faulkner quote anyways, either misattributed here or Stephen King “borrowed” it and forgot to say so.
I read somewhere it was Mark Twain.
If you can write a poetry,book,etc. You can writing about anything if you set your mind to it.
“writing”? Editor needed!
I had been feeling a lack of inspiration in my writing lately, and with this post I can feel it coming back. So wonderful.
I like the pearls of advice from John Steinbeck. Humble words from a successful writer.
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Speechless. Love them all. I’m also trying dearly not to use exclamation points right now as I write this comment…
It seems there are two kinds of writer ….
Why is it views on punctuation tend to the extremes? Certainly, too many exclamation points over-salts the egg, but do we have to apply Shari’a law to the poor thing?
Kids, let me tell you, Hemingway had it right.
I was born the same day of the calender that Ernest was. I always for that reason revered him. I believe in the Stars. I’ve always said; When I grow up, I’m going to be a writer however, first I have to grow up. I’m only 73 so far and can’t see the end of the stretch. It’s a long bumpy road and the smooth parts are worrisome. I’m torn between painting/drawing and writing. I see them as being all the same form of expression. Unfortunately, I have no education. I was raised in a residential school. All I know is religion and other non grounded philosophic trash. I sincerely believe that this is my pen/brush to success. “Vive la difference”.
Robert – you have a soul mate out here, and it’s me. I too paint, draw, write – and teach English to young adults in Mexico. I’m retiring from that soon, and I plan to more of the other stuff. I had a good run years ago as a full-time artist and that taught me to guard my sanity; it tends to slip away the more time you devote to the muse – that jealous bitch.
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Hemingway was right. Huckleberry Finn was pretty much it in his time. Excuse me but some of the writers here are not great literature. Maybe you should calm down for a couple of decades.
I don’t know if I have it in me to kill all my darlings. But, I’ll try.
Love those quotes. Beautiful and some self-depreciating in just the right manner.
I do love the quote about the exclamation mark. Use them sparingly… and semi-colons. Cheers
And THAT’S one reason I never read Stephen King. Perhaps “Don’t be a smart-ass at your reader’s expense” would have been better advice.
OK. Then there’s Kurt Vonnegut who said, “Be Kind to your readers.”
Oops – pardon the ‘K’. I could use some editing too.
Timely. Thank You.
So much writing is trees falling in the forest with only the writer listening.
Päivitysilmoitus: writing/creating | Pearltrees
First kill your darlings (yes, per Faulkner. I’m sure Stephen King knows this, as does every writer. Attribution not required.). Then, pick out a spare few and perform CPR on them.
Where the hell is hunter s thompson???
I miss him too, and what a way to go out! Except why in the kitchen, on a Sunday, with a handgun? When his wife was in the other room – and his son too, I think. The quotation I remember is (paraphrased) “It sounded like a large book dropping flat on the floor.” Being shot out of a cannon though, that was classic.
LOVED EVERY SINGLE ONE EXCEPT THE ONE BY TONI MORRISON…. INSTEAD OF WORDS OF WISDOM, SHE IS TRYING WAAAY TO HARD TO BE INSIGHTFUL…JUST SOUNDS VAGUE AND MEANINGLESS TO ME!
Nice inspiration here. Writing, or trying to, can get overwhelming sometimes. Great post.
I used to think I was a professional writer, but it wasn’t a lack of inspiration which stunted my growth. I’d like to share my frustrations and bitterness in the hope that it inspires the other writers who read these sparkling gems of advice 🙂
http://beasleygreen.wordpress.com/2012/09/10/youre-pretty-good-have-you-ever-thought-of-being-a-writer/
Truly inspiring!
Great quotes all. Wonderful pictures as well, hadn’t seen some of those shots before. Really well done, bravo, and thank you so much for sharing such little inspirations.
Being a writer myself, it is good to know who the famous and best writers are. Thanks
Inspiring written quotes so kool. I like Henry Miller’s quote. Also view more here http://www.inspiretheentrepreneur.com/written-quotes/
It is nice to see the faces of authors I have always admired – well not all of them, Mr king used to freak me out when I was a teen 🙂 , F. Scott Fitzgerald is my favorite 🙂
I have to agree with Stephen King. As much as it kills me, I’m going to have to kill my darlings….
Writing is best summed up as hemmingway wrote it; bleeding on the typewriter—the only difference is that I use a keyboard.
Like laughing at your own jokes! True, true…
Thanks just thanks a whole bunch
“Kill your darling”…Stephen King is the best…
I say quit reading this garbage and go write your novel.
John Steinbeck was my great uncle through marriage. My grandfather thought he was insane. I, being a screenwriter, have always obtained great wisdom through his quotes however.
Sit down at a typewriter and bleed….wow! That is beautiful!