I am hip-deep in revisions as I put the finishing touches on my latest mystery game. My apologies to all you wonderful blogger-pals for my lack of comments yesterday and today. Trust me when I say I'm still reading all of your posts - but the time for I use for commenting is being put into my game.
"The beautiful part of writing is that you don't have to get it right the first time, unlike, say, a brain surgeon. You can always do it better..."~Robert Cormier
"The great thing about revision is that it's your opportunity to fake being brilliant."~Will Shetterly
"Books aren't written- they're rewritten. Including your own. It is one of the hardest things to accept, especially after the seventh rewrite hasn't quite done it."~ Michael Crichton
"The difference between the right and the nearly right word is the same as that between lightning and the lightning bug." ~ Mark Twain
"The wastebasket is the writer's best friend."~ Isaac Singer
"The most valuable of talents is never using two words when one will do."~Thomas Jefferson
"I can't write five words but that I can change seven."~ Dorothy Parker
"Rewriting is like scrubbing the basement floor with a toothbrush."~ Pete Murphy
"To be a writer is to throw away a great deal, not to be satisfied, to type again, and then again and once more, and over and over."~ John Hersey
"It is with words as with sunbeams -- the more they are condensed, the deeper they burn." ~Robert Southey
"My most important piece of advice to all you would-be writers: when you write, try to leave out all the parts readers skip."~Elmore Leonard
I really like these, thanks so much for posting them! I'm going to write them all in my little writing-motivational book I keep!
ReplyDeleteExcellent, I can relate to all of these. I love Dorothy Parker quotes :)
ReplyDeleteKaren; I'm glad you like them.
ReplyDeleteDeb; Wasn't she wonderful? Some of my favourite sayings come from Dorothy Parker.
I once knew a woman who scrubbed her kitchen floor with a toothbrush once a week. Every week. We didn't have much in common. It's a good thing I'm not a brain surgeon is all I can say.
ReplyDeleteCarol; We're very, very alike.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is Elmore Leonard's advice. If only it was as easy to do as he makes it sound.
ReplyDeleteGreat quotes. Do you mind if I capture them for a blog on The Blood Red Pencil? I will be happy to link back to your blog and acknowledge that I got them here.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the revisions.
Jane; If only!
ReplyDeleteMaryann; I don't mind at all, in fact, I'm honored.
Love the brain surgery quote - awesome!!
ReplyDeleteLove the quotes. Good luck with the revisions.
ReplyDeleteJemi; I'm so glad that quote is true.
ReplyDeleteMason; Thanks. All done - I hope.
"It is with words as with sunbeams -- the more they are condensed, the deeper they burn." ~Robert Southey
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! I love that quote- it's actually one I've never seen before. I adore quotes- I do a quote of the day in my classroom. The students love them- they give me a hard time on the rare days I don't have one up before the bell rings.