“What works for me is that I read widely and stay focused on my writing. I'm no longer concerned about what happens in the literary marketplace. It is distracting and can lead to discontent.” WritingHappensConcernedFocusedMarketplaceDiscontentStay Focused Author:Sefi Atta
“You don't need attention to write. All you need is passion for your work and an overwhelming desire to tell a story you genuinely care about. Readers can sense your sincerity and it separates you from pretenders.” NeedsWritingStoriesCareDesirePassionAttentionReaderOverwhelmingSincerityPretenderOverwhelming Desire Author:Sefi Atta
“At some point, practicality requires that you reach out to people in the business. You have to take care of business if you value your work.” PeopleIfsCareValuesTake CareReach OutPracticality Author:Sefi Atta
“My [story] outlines are usually about 5-6 pages long. I'm essentially telling myself the story in short form. I try to make it clear who the major characters are, what they want, and what obstacles they face.” WantTryingLongCharacterStoriesFacesFormClearMajorsPagesObstaclesOutlines Author:Chevy Stevens
“For me, it's important that I experience and feel what the characters are feeling. So I put myself in those moments, in their thoughts, and let it happen naturally. I write what I feel.” FeelsWritingImportantMomentsCharacterFeelingsHappens Author:Chevy Stevens
“Before I start a book, I talk over my characters with a friend who is a counselor. I like to make sure I have the right dynamics in place and understand each character's belief system, fears, coping mechanisms and things like that.” BookCharacterBeliefMechanismCopingDynamicsBelief SystemsCounselorCoping Mechanisms Author:Chevy Stevens
“I always write too long in the beginning, then it is a matter of going through it over and over again on subsequent drafts, looking for anything that slows down the narrative. It can be hard, cutting out parts I love, but I try to make the book as tight as possible so that the reader doesn't get bored.” WritingTryingLongBookMatterHardCuttingReaderNarrativeBoredSlow Down Author:Chevy Stevens
“Read everything you can on writing. Join online forums and critique groups, go to conferences, get feedback, and learn, learn, learn!” WritingGroupsOnlineConferencesFeedbackCritiqueForums Author:Chevy Stevens
“As an artist, the most important feeling is loneliness. So when I say artists need to isolate themselves from society this is what I mean: You have to look for that feeling of loneliness again. Only this way can you have something that is purely your own.” WayNeedsLooksMeanImportantFeelingsArtistLoneliness Author:Zhang Xiaogang
“I have the belief that a person and his art should have one direction; your work should be a synonym for your person - the two shouldn't be separate.” ShouldPersonsArtTwoBeliefShould HaveOne DirectionSynonym Author:Zhang Xiaogang
