The Power of Punctuation
29th June 2016 | for Creatives | writing, Mary Gordon, punctuation |
"If you are a writer, you have more power than the greatest tyrant in the world because of punctuation. You get to tell people how to breathe. And it is about breath."
Similar for Creatives
The Joy of Writing
"The joy of writing has propelled me from day to day and year to year."
Listen to the Demands of the Story
"If elements of my own life sift themselves into the plot, it's because they feel organic to the story I am telling—a story that distinctly belongs to the characters and not to me. I try to listen to the demands of the story and stay true to them."
Keen Sense of Humour
"It helps a lot if you have a keen sense of humour. This is not essential when writing for grown-ups, but for children, it's vital."
Stop Mythologizing the Life of a Writer
"Stop mythologizing the life of a writer. Don't wait for the muse to whisper in your ear. Don't cultivate an affected personality. Put your butt in a chair and write. A writer is no different than a plumber, a landscaper or a dental hygienist. We are doing what we are called to do and what we are suited for. You don't need to escape to a cabin and write in a parchment diary with a special pen. Sit at a Starbucks or at home or in the middle of traffic and just write."