Theme: Quotes from Authors and Bookish People about Writing
A to Z Challenge has taken over my life, and I’m still struggling with life issues, and travel. But the blog must go on in April, so today on Amlokiblogs, I bring to you Intensity.
In fiction, genuineness and honesty is all. The more able a writer is to deal with difficult situations and emotions in his or her writing, the more willing to let their imagination soar, unfettered by judgment of any sort, the more intense the fiction.
Intensity evokes a strong reaction in the readers and keeps them hooked. Here are few quotes on writing intensely:
“You never have to change anything you got up in the middle of the night to write.”— Saul Bellow
“Write as if you were dying. At the same time, assume you write for an
audience consisting solely of terminal patients. That is, after all, the
case. What would you begin writing if you knew you would die soon? What
could you say to a dying person that would not enrage by its
triviality?”— Annie Dillard
“If you have any young friends who aspire
to become writers, the second greatest favor you can do them is to
present them with copies of The Elements of Style. The first greatest, of course, is to shoot them now, while they’re happy.” ― Dorothy Parker
“Be daring, take on anything. Don’t labor
over little cameo works in which every word is to be perfect. Technique
holds a reader from sentence to sentence, but only content will stay in
his mind.” ― Joyce Carol Oates
“One of the few things I know about writing is this: spend it all, shoot
it, play it, lose it, all, right away, every time. Do not hoard what
seems good for a later place in the book, or for another book; give it,
give it all, give it now. The impulse to save something good for a
better place later is the signal to spend it now. Something more will
arise for later, something better. These things fill from behind, from
beneath, like well water. Similarly, the impulse to keep to yourself
what you have learned is not only shameful, it is destructive. Anything
you do not give freely and abundantly becomes lost to you. You open your
safe and find ashes.” — Annie Dillard
“Protect the time and space in which you write. Keep everybody away from it, even the people who are most important to you.”
~~~~~~~~~
When you read a novel or short story, how important is the intensity of emotions it evokes in you?
Loved Dorothy Parker's quote! They're all such powerful quotes, thank you Dimyanti and for reminding of intensity in writing.
Garden of Eden Blog
I aim to promote an intensity of emotion in passages of my writing, so I expect to find it and feel it in the writing of others. It provides the greatest entertainment because I've felt a part of the story – it has come to life for me.
Dorothy Parker's quote is the one that I like. It's so true! As for intensity, I suppose it depends on the story, doesn't it? A book that makes me cry or laugh out loud will almost always get five stars from me.
I love the first quote about getting up in the middle of the night :). The second one seems a little morbid though and the third one made me laugh out loud with the part about shoot them now ::g::.
Tasha
Tasha's Thinkings – AtoZ (Vampires)
FB3X – AtoZ (Erotic Drabbles)
Great quotes. Saul Bellow's was the best!
Emotion in writing is something I strive to achieve, digging into my own experiences I find helps me create the necessary intensity. Some great quotes.
Such thought provoking quotes, some of the nest books are a result of intense writing on the part of the author.
Great quotes.. so I've kept everyone away and now I have the space and time to write.. hmm does that explain why I live on my own.. oops!
Love the Saul Bellow quote!
Hello there. I love to read, but my favourite book is the Bible. I never knew it could be so exciting! I try to envision the scenes, smell the various scents and visualize the characters. In this way, the Bible has taken on a whole new meaning to me and I find I can't put it down. Thanks for sharing & visiting my blog. All the best with the challenge!
Entrepreneurial Goddess
Dorothy Parker's quote is my fave. All of them were a kick. Thanks for sharing. I love it when a scene I've written still really gets to me when I come back to it in a revision. Chalk up one for intensity.
Intensity definitely makes for a better page turner. There's something to be said for putting it all out there in an honest and genuine way.
M. J. Joachim
A to Z Challenge Co-Host
Writing Tips
Effectively Human
Lots of Crochet Stitches
I love the quotes you find for each of your themes.
I think intense emotions keep you vested. I, at least, love being moved, no matter by which emotion. Although I'm not fond of disgust, lol. Great quotes.
Some great quotes here.
Loved reading all these quotes, all good motivators. I can so personally relate to "Protect the time and space in which you write. Keep everybody away from it, even the people who are most important to you."
I feel guilty when I do that – but it also makes me angry that I have to. It isn't understood by others that well…
Donna Smith
The A-to-Z Challenge
http://mainelywrite.blogspot.com
Mainely Write
I can't say an idea has woke me in the middle of the night. I have woken in the morning with a strong idea that I knew was wise to write down.
~Patricia Lynne~
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, YA Author
I often wake i the nights to write or edit. The ideas flow best then. All of your quotes are just perfect.
Such great quotes! My teenage boys have such intensity in life whether it's sports, music, school, friends. I take my cue from them:) Now, I'm going to go edit my novel with intensity.
Dorothy Parker, OMG and LOL!
Another post to bookmark. Music can increase or decrease my intensity. It helps to create the mood, especially the music of the band Two Steps from Hell.
Thanks for hosting A to Z this year.
I may have to borrow some of these quotes. Excellent, thanks.
I have woken up at night to edit the post I publish. Read and polish till I feel it's good enough.
I don't think I could write for someone who was dying…