The basic rule given us was simple and heartbreaking. A story to be effective had to convey something from the writer to the reader, and the power of its offering was the measure of its excellence. Outside of that, there were no rules.
— John Steinbeck
My only advice is to stay aware, listen carefully and yell for help if you need it.
— Judy Blume
The writer must believe that what he is doing is the most important thing in the world. And he must hold to this illusion even when he knows it is not true.
— - John Steinbeck
A person is a fool to become a writer. His only compensation is absolute freedom.
— Roald Dahl
I just write what I wanted to write. I write what amuses me. It’s totally for myself.
— J.K. Rowling
When writing a novel, that’s pretty much entirely what life turns into: ‘House burned down. Car stolen. Cat exploded. Did 1500 easy words, so all in all it was a pretty good day.’
— Neil Gaiman
‘This (writing) is the love of your life. It’s what I want to do when I wake up. Nothing feels so absorbing, so fulfilling.’
— Martin Amis
Writing is not a job description. A great deal of it is luck. Don’t do it if you are not a gambler because a lot of people devote many years of their life to it. I think people become writers because they are compulsive wordsmiths.
— Margaret Atwood
The best style is the style you don’t notice.
— Somerset Maugham
