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Quote by Jane Smiley

“Writing novels is an essentially amateur activity.”

Quote by Jane Smiley

Book:13 Ways of Looking at the Novel

Work

13 Ways of Looking at the Novel

This book delves into the intricacies of the novel, examining its evolution, structure, and the diverse methods authors employ to craft compelling narratives. more

Author

Jane Smiley is an accomplished American novelist known for her profound character development and rich imagination. Her works span a variety of literary genres, including historical fiction, contemporary life, and children's literature. Her novels, such as 'A Thousand Acres' and 'Bluebird', have received widespread acclaim. more

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“The desire to write a novel is the single required prerequisite for writing a novel.”

Writing Desire Novel Prerequisites

Book:13 Ways of Looking at the Novel

Source: 13 Ways of Looking at the Novel

“Novelists never have to footnote.”

Novelists Footnotes

Book:Moo

Source: Moo

“everything is toxic. That's the point. You can't avoid toxins. Thinking you can is just another symptom of the toxic overload stage.”

Thinking Stage Toxic Pollution Symptoms Overload Toxins

Book:A Thousand Acres: A Novel

Source: A Thousand Acres: A Novel

“Critical thinking is to a liberal education as faith is to religion. ... the converse was true also - faith is to a liberal education as critical thinking is to religion, irrelevant and even damaging.”

Thinking Critical Irrelevant Critical Thinking Converses Liberal Education

Book:Moo

Source: Moo

“I was told in many places of Osgar's bravery and Goll's strength and Conan's bitter tongue, and the arguments of Oisin and Patrick. And I have often been given the story of Oisin's journey to Tir-nan-Og, the Country of the Young, that is, as I am told, a fine place and everything that is good is in it.”

Country Stories Young Given Journey Fine Argument Bravery Tongue Bitter Conan Nans

Book:The Essential Lady Gregory Collection

Source: The Essential Lady Gregory Collection

“Americans took a great deal too much credit for creating wealth, when most of the time they had really just been living off natural bounty unprecedented in the history of the world.”

World Natural Wealth Deals United States Too Much Creating Credit World History Unprecedented Bounty Creating Wealth

Book:Moo

Source: Moo

“If the title of a great man ought to be reserved for him who cannot be charged with an indiscretion or a vice, who spent his life in establishing the independence, the glory and durable prosperity of his country; who succeeded in all that he undertook, and whose successes were never won at the expense of justice, integrity, or by the sacrifice of a single principle--this title will not be denied to Washington.”

Ifs Men Country Justice Principles Sacrifice Greatness Ought Integrity Glory Independence Prosperity Vices Titles Great Men Expenses Denied Reserved

Book:The Life of George Washington by Jared Sparks

Source: The Life of George Washington by Jared Sparks

“Whoever would understand the character of Washington, in all its compass and grandeur, must learn it from his own writings, and from a complete history of his country during the long period in which he was the most prominent actor.”

Writing Long Country Character Actors Periods Compass Grandeur Prominent

Book:The life of George Washington

Source: The life of George Washington

“Prejudice is an assortment of deceptively small personal judgments - deceptive because of their great cost in our daily lives.”

Cost Judgment Prejudice Daily Life Deceptive

Author:Jean Stapleton

“If you can't be committed to another person, at least be committed to the concept of character and don't cheat.”

Ifs Persons Character Concepts Committed Cheating Cheat

Author:Jerry Springer