Damyanti Biswas is the author of You Beneath Your Skin and numerous short stories that have been published in magazines and anthologies in the US, the UK, and Asia. She has been shortlisted for Best Small Fictions and Bath Novel Awards and is co-editor of the Forge Literary Magazine. Her next literary crime thriller, The Blue Bar, is represented by Lucienne Diver from The Knight Agency, and was published by Thomas & Mercer on January 1, 2023.
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Great quotes. And, they're true. We have to get down and dirty, dig deep and be willing to expose our own dreams and fears in order to be authentic. Play off the Page
Oh I love the idea of writing as a messy business. The most fun I've had writing is when I jump into unfamiliar territory and slosh around until I have something.
Love the quote about washing your hands, that made me smile. I need to ask my SIL, who is a published author of children's books if she does that or feels that. Traveling Suitcase A-Z
I think sometimes there is something magical about writing – you have to sit and work to start it, but the most amazing things can happen. Sometimes I am amazed at what I end up with and have no idea how I got there :). I agree that you can't just wait for the magic, sometimes you have to do the hard graft, but it's not like any other job I have had. Tasha Tasha's Thinkings – AtoZ (Vampires) FB3X – AtoZ (Erotic Drabbles)
Harlan's quote sounds terrible to me. If writing is nothing but sitting back and working why not instead get a 9-5 job where you are guaranteed a pay check? Fitzgerald is speaking my language (better than me)! Writing fiction is a deep challenge and art. Harry's quite deep with his definition. Kurt is my fave, he knows language alone isn't enough.
Great message! Writing is definitely messy work – it doesn't come out clean and the editing and revising process is even messier! It's something that the we as the reader forget (even if we ARE a writer! :))
Hi Damayanti, This is really an interesting piece! Getting dirty!! LOL I am reminded of a piece written by a great author: Let us have Clean Hand and pure Heart!!! Best Regards Phil
Solid advice. I like the thought of getting my hands dirty. Harry Crews is right about getting naked to bare the truth when writing. All the quotes are great.
Good advice. My problem with fiction is I could never kill anybody off. Even my villains all survive. Sigh. Essay, memoir, non-fic are easier for me. Perle Champion at Perle’s Ink, freelance words & art
I love the bit about mining personal life in order to reach for universal truths but don't ask me to get my hands dirty!! I was that weird kid who cried when sand stuck to my hands at the seaside or when play dough got wrapped round my fingers. I think this is why I can't make pastry! It could also explain something about my writing!
Love that last quote! Great motivation. If we never get our hands dirty, then we are probably dead or lazy. Just saying. Thanks for the thoughts on writing!
Yes! They are paramount. Love the quotes and the more I write, the more I realize how spot-on they are. This may be why I find some of my writing to be therapeutic, even though it's also painful. I especially love the F Scott Fitzgerald quote.
Or getting your paws dirty in my case. Both my human and I write with a genuineness. We firmly believe that a great writer brings the reader into the story. With that, I shall now go and wash my paws 🙂
Penny, the pawsitive host of the Alphabark Challenge, 2014!
Great quotes. And, they're true. We have to get down and dirty, dig deep and be willing to expose our own dreams and fears in order to be authentic.
Play off the Page
Oh I love the idea of writing as a messy business. The most fun I've had writing is when I jump into unfamiliar territory and slosh around until I have something.
Love the quote about washing your hands, that made me smile. I need to ask my SIL, who is a published author of children's books if she does that or feels that.
Traveling Suitcase A-Z
I think sometimes there is something magical about writing – you have to sit and work to start it, but the most amazing things can happen. Sometimes I am amazed at what I end up with and have no idea how I got there :). I agree that you can't just wait for the magic, sometimes you have to do the hard graft, but it's not like any other job I have had.
Tasha
Tasha's Thinkings – AtoZ (Vampires)
FB3X – AtoZ (Erotic Drabbles)
Harlan's quote sounds terrible to me. If writing is nothing but sitting back and working why not instead get a 9-5 job where you are guaranteed a pay check? Fitzgerald is speaking my language (better than me)! Writing fiction is a deep challenge and art. Harry's quite deep with his definition. Kurt is my fave, he knows language alone isn't enough.
I really like the Harry Crews quote. And Kurt Vonnegut always has such great words of wisdom. Good post with great points! Thanks for the tips.
Inspiring Quotes… for me writing is to write what I feel.. has to be honest..
I too am a writer and I like to get my hands dirty. I enjoyed your quotes and I like the way the word amloki rolls around my mouth.
http://ceciliaaclark.blogspot.com.au
Great quotes! You hit the nail on the head. Writing is work! (But what a lovely endeavor!)
Great quotes! Fitzgerald's and Vonnegut's had the most resonance for me. Thank you!
Great message! Writing is definitely messy work – it doesn't come out clean and the editing and revising process is even messier! It's something that the we as the reader forget (even if we ARE a writer! :))
Too true. Getting down and dirty is exactly what it takes. Thanks for a great post.
Hi Damayanti,
This is really an interesting piece!
Getting dirty!! LOL
I am reminded of a piece written by
a great author: Let us have Clean Hand and pure Heart!!!
Best Regards
Phil
If you were born to write, you will do it. It doesn't matter how, when or where. You will get your words out there…
M. J.
A – Z Co-Host
http://mjjoachim.blogspot.com
http://effectivelyhuman.blogspot.com
http://lotsofcrochetstitches.blogspot.com
What Fitzgerald said!
Not writing literally naked though. No one wants to see that.
Solid advice. I like the thought of getting my hands dirty. Harry Crews is right about getting naked to bare the truth when writing. All the quotes are great.
I think it's quite easy to tell if someone's writing isn't genuine, and at that point, they've lost me. I need to feel it! 😀
Good advice. My problem with fiction is I could never kill anybody off. Even my villains all survive. Sigh.
Essay, memoir, non-fic are easier for me.
Perle Champion at
Perle’s Ink,
freelance words & art
You sit in back of the typewriter and you work. – truth!
Sophie
Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles – A to Z Ghosts
Fantasy Boys XXX – A to Z Drabblerotic
I love the bit about mining personal life in order to reach for universal truths but don't ask me to get my hands dirty!! I was that weird kid who cried when sand stuck to my hands at the seaside or when play dough got wrapped round my fingers. I think this is why I can't make pastry! It could also explain something about my writing!
Getting naked, digging deep, throwing off convention! Loved the "get your hands dirty" post today.
Love that last quote! Great motivation. If we never get our hands dirty, then we are probably dead or lazy. Just saying. Thanks for the thoughts on writing!
HA! I love it. What a great way to think about writing. And I love that picture 🙂
Yes! They are paramount. Love the quotes and the more I write, the more I realize how spot-on they are. This may be why I find some of my writing to be therapeutic, even though it's also painful. I especially love the F Scott Fitzgerald quote.
Greetings human, Damyanti,
Or getting your paws dirty in my case. Both my human and I write with a genuineness. We firmly believe that a great writer brings the reader into the story. With that, I shall now go and wash my paws 🙂
Penny, the pawsitive host of the Alphabark Challenge, 2014!