writers quote daily

Chaucer on mastery

The lyf so short, the craft so long to lerne. -- Geoffrey Chaucer

James on specificity

An ounce of example is worth a pound of generalities--Henry James

Allen on style

A writer's style should not place obstacles between his ideas and the minds of his readers.--Steve Allen

Frost on fun

All the fun's in how you say a thing.--Robert Frost

Dickinson on words

How lovely are the wiles of words.--Emily Dickinson

Elliot on the rules of writing

It is not wise to violate the rules until you know how to observe them.--T.S. Eliot

Hawthorne on easy reading

Easy reading is damn hard writing.--Nathaniel Hawthorne

Albee on the act of writing

The act of writing is an act of optimism. You would not take the trouble to do it if you did not feel it didn't matter.--Edward Albee

Michener on words

I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotion.--James Michener

De Vries on being a writer

I love being a writer. What I can't stand is the paperwork.--Peter De Vries