Gems

The only thing I enjoy as much as stringing together the perfect sequence of words and knowing that I have conveyed my intended message is reading something that someone else has written that does the same. I have come across several such gems this week and I wanted not only to remember them but share them. I hope they bring joy and inspiration to you too.

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You never learn how to write a novel. You just learn how to write the novel that you're writing. ~ Gene Wolfe

Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader. Not that it is raining, but the feeling of being rained upon. ~ E.L. Doctorow

The changing landscape of my social life has been a curious thing these past few years but it’s nice to have a reminder that nothing is static, and that there is no telling who is out there, waiting to enter your life, who you may have just met that will prove to be a significant player, who you may find yourself celebrating with in the future.  I want to always be open to new people. ~ mollykath

Surviving is important. Thriving is elegant. ~ Maya Angelou

A lot of people talk about life purpose. They say it’s something you’ve got to find, something you have to figure out. It’s this elusive, intimidating thing, that if you don’t discover, will cause your life to be forever devoid of meaning. ... You do have a purpose, but it’s not what you think. It’s not something “out there” that you need to find. It’s not hard to figure out, like a mesmerizing labyrinth or ambiguity. That’s because your purpose is to become who you are. That’s it. ~ illuminatedmind

As soon as your dream becomes stronger than your doubts and fears, your dream begins to manifest. ~ Marc Allen

You can be standing in the fluorescent-lit aisle of the paint store contemplating the merits of White Linen as opposed to Bavarian Creme when you are suddenly seized with the fear that your life is quietly passing you by, and when you die it won’t matter what color you painted your family room. I’m never going to be as young as I am today. I’ll never hear my favorite song for the first time more than once. My skin is going to wrinkle. My children are going to move away. Someday. Still, I do not want to predict my life like a tarot card or a one hour session with some spiritual medium. The future can not be known or manipulated. It has to be enough to stand rooted in this minute with the thrill of possibility in the next, and the next, and the next. None of us are going to escape grief, not by writing, or affairs, or travel. You will not avoid grief by accumulating friends or by loving your children. These things only increase the chances of grief showing up unannounced on your doorstep on some random Tuesday while you are still in your robe. ~ Kelly of Ordinary Art

Characters in your novel are a lot like real people - they want to know and be known. Use that. ~ Novel Doctor

The world is round, and the place which may seem like the end may also be the beginning. ~ Ivy Baker Priest

A writer runs her hand across a rotting, broken fencepost and finds a story in every splinter. ~ Novel Doctor

If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought. ~ Unknown

Comments

[Kellee]

Wise words, every one. There is nothing like a good quote. :)

[Debra]

I agree. :)