Writers on Writing: A Book of Quotations

by Alysoun Owen (Editor), Bloomsbury Publishing

Writers on Writing brings together a plethora of phrases, quotable lines, quips and putdowns about the writing process. Arranged in themes that follow the stages from idea to final publication and beyond, this little book of quotations brings together words of wisdom and withering wit from famous and infamous writers across the ages about their own work and that of fellow writers. Themes on the publishing process include: getting started, first drafts, agents, editing, publication day, book tours; and on different genres, forms and writing styles, such as plot, character, dialogue. Other topics covered are: rivals, censorship, writer's block, spelling, fame, money, plagiarism, and alcohol. The quotations are accompanied by their original source (where known), date and a short writer biographical note.

''A writer is a person who writes.'' John Braine
''Our book is found to be a drug, no man needs it or heeds it. In the space of a year our publisher has disposed but of two copies.'' Charlotte Brontë
''How rare, how precious is frivolity! How few writers can prostitute all their powers! They are always implying, 'I am capable of higher things'.'' E.M. Forster

198 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2021

Reviews

[Eric Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book is a wonderful resource for writers — both writers of fiction and non-fiction. Unlike so many books about writing, this is not about self-publishing, or setting goals, or grammar, or marketing. Instead, it consists of very short quotes by people who know what they are talking about: writers. Here are three typical quotes — all of them useful or witty: “When we ask advice, we are usually looking for an accomplice.” That was Saul Bellow. Another one from a writer I don’t know, Jules Renard: “Writing is the only profession where no one considers you ridiculous if you earn no money.” That really did speak to me. And a final one, from Zadie Smith: “Try to read your own work as a stranger would read it, or even better, as an enemy would.” I love that one. There are hundreds more here, grouped by subject, with good indexes by name and topic. If my next book is any good, I can thank the people at Writers’ and Artists’ for this great little book.

[Kanlep · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really amusing. I think I will borrow some ideas from this one.

[Callum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was there a point to sneaking that Mao quote in there