Literary Bits for September 13

 Quotes about writing from authors born on September 13:

 

from novelist and short story writer Sherwood Anderson (Winesburg, Ohio, Many Marriages, Dark Laughter) (1876-1941):

The object of art is not to make salable pictures. It is to save yourself.

I think the whole glory of writing lies in the fact that it forces us out of ourselves and into the lives of others.

Dare to be strong and courageous. That is the road. Venture anything.

Most people are afraid to trust their imaginations and the artist is not.

You must not become a mere peddler of words. The thing to learn is to know what people are thinking about, not what they say.

If you are to become a writer you'll have to stop fooling with words.

If I can write everything out plainly, perhaps I will myself understand better what has happened.

I am pregnant with song. My body aches but do not betray me. I will sing songs and hide them away. I will tear them into bits and throw them in the street. The streets of my city are full of dark holes. I will hide my songs in the holes of the streets.

 

from novelist, playwright, and essayist J. B. Priestley (The Good Companions, Britain Speaks, Bright Day, An Inspector Calls) (1894-1984):

Write as often as possible, not with the idea at once of getting into print, but as if you were learning an instrument.

If you are a genius, you'll make your own rules, but if not - and the odds are against it - go to your desk no matter what your mood, face the icy challenge of the paper - write.

The point is to be good--to be sensitive and sincere.

There are plenty of clever young writers. But there is too much genius, not enough talent.

Much of writing might be described as mental pregnancy with successive difficult deliveries.

Perhaps it would be better not to be a writer, but if you must, then write.

 

from fiction writer Roald Dahl (James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, Tales of the Unexpected) (1916-1990):

A person is a fool to become a writer. His only compensation is absolute freedom.

Don't gobblefunk around with words.

A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.

So please, oh please, we beg, we pray,

Go throw your TV set away,

And in its place you can install

A lovely bookshelf on the wall.

Then fill the shelves with lots of books.