Slice of Life Story Challenge March 27 - May I Quote You On That?

I was asked by a teacher yesterday, If she could take a look inside my writer’s notebook. I agreed. I am always prepared to share. After all, that's what writer’s do.

When she handed it back to me, she thanked me for sharing, and then commented on some of the quotes, she had noted while scanning the pages. ‘Where did you find these quotes? She asked.

I told her that I source them from everywhere I go. Some of them I hear, many of them I read on my regular reading journeys through books, the Internet, Twitter, and Facebook.

As we talked, I began to consider why I gather such material.  As writers, we are gatherers and collectors. I believe I harvest these words because they inspire me to greater efforts. I harvest them because they remind me of my responsibilities as an educator. Some of them are just plain funny and I embrace the opportunity to have a good laugh. Some quotes are collected because they contain vital messages I can share with others. Occasionally I am to apply them to writing pieces to support the thrust of my work.

So, I am grateful to this teacher, for she enabled me to reflect upon an aspect of my practise as both a writer and an educator.

Here are some examples of recent quotations from the pages of my notebook:

‘Never use a metaphor, simile or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.’
George Orwell

‘Life is short, make sure you are wearing your happy pants.’
A woman being interviewed on television

‘Writing comes reading and reading is the finest teacher of how to write.’
Annie Proulx

‘I can’t write without a reader. It’s precisely like a kiss – you can’t do it alone.’
John Cheever

‘Don’t put your fingers in your mouth when you’re pushing a supermarket trolley.’
Neil Finn

‘Writers end up writing about their obsessions. Things that haunt them; things they can’t forget; stories they carry in their bodies
Alex Myers

‘If moths are so attracted to light, how come they only go looking for it at night?’
Stephen Fry

‘Writing… happens everywhere and always, whenever your mind encounters a thought it wants to wrap words around,’
Kevin Coyne


Comments

  1. Marilyn Miner28 March 2014 at 09:00

    I love quotes, too. I have them written on little slips of paper, in notebooks, on a computer file, maybe someday I'll gather them into one place, but it's fun to come across them again at random times and places. I enjoyed your reflection.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beverley Baird28 March 2014 at 10:31

    Great quotes! Love the one about wearing our happy pants!
    I have many quote books. I keep it hand and ad quotes daily. I have been creating art quote cards to emphasize these quotes.

    ReplyDelete
  3. elsie28 March 2014 at 11:10

    Just today I found a notebook where I also had placed some quotes. I may have to add some of yours.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Tara28 March 2014 at 12:35

    ‘Writing… happens everywhere and always, whenever your mind encounters a thought it wants to wrap words around,’
    Kevin Coyne
    Well, this is why I write...and the way my writing mind works. Thanks for sharing, Alan.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Melanie Meehan28 March 2014 at 13:52

    I love all of these! I especially love the assortment that you chose to share--funny, deep, meaningful, silly, inspiring... great collection!

    ReplyDelete

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