Best reader & thinking Quotes | Short & Famous Sayings

“At the same time, I think books create a sort of network in the reader's mind, with one book reinforcing another. Some books form relationships. Other books stand in opposition. No two writers or readers have the same pattern of interaction.”

Thinking Mind Two Book Form Reader Patterns Opposition Interaction

Author:Margaret Mahy

“I feel like reading really defined me as a writer because I lived my life outside of my own body for so much of my life and I loved it. I've always been a reader. I think living all those stories served me to naturally take that next step to creating.”

Thinking Feels Stories Body Reading Next My Own Steps Reader Creating Defined Next Steps

Author:Stephenie Meyer

“The only pressure I feel is to write good books. And to not replicate the previous book. Whether you have a thousand readers or a million readers it doesn't change the pressure. I never feel tempted to give the reader what I think the reader wants.”

Thinking Want Giving Feels Writing Book Millions Reader Thousand Pressure Tempted Good Book Replicate

Author:Jo Nesbo

“Writers think in metaphors. Editors work in metaphors. A great reader reads in metaphors.”

Thinking Writing Reader Metaphor Editors

Author:Steven Pressfield

“I think there's no excuse for the American poetry reader not knowing a good deal about what is going on in the rest of the world.”

Thinking World Deals Knowing Reader Excuse Not Knowing No Excuses American Poetry

Author:James Laughlin

“I think there is a great difference, in that when the poet is reading you get the whole personality of the person, especially if he's a good reader. Whereas a person just sitting gets what he puts into it.”

Ifs Thinking Persons Whole Reading Differences Poet Personality Reader Sitting

Author:James Laughlin

“Before 'Wings' came out, I told a few people that at the end of book one, readers should think Laurel made the right choice. Then, at the end of 'Spells,' they should understand why Laurel made the choice she did.”

People Thinking Should Made Book Ends Choices Reader Wings Spells Laurels Right Choices

Author:Aprilynne Pike

“Whenever I write, I'm always thinking of the reader.”

Thinking Writing Literature Reader Always Thinking

Author:Manuel Puig

“I'm interested in Scotland now and then, how it's changed. I want to get the reader to think about that by thinking about something from the past. How has society changed, how has policing changed, have we changed philosophically, psychologically, culturally, spiritually?”

Thinking Want Past Changed Reader Now And Then Scotland

Author:Ian Rankin

“I'm not a masochistic reader. If something is just too dense or not enjoyable, even though I'm told it should be good for me, I'll put it down. That said, most of what I read would be considered high-end or good for you, I suppose. But, I also think that reading should be enjoyable.”

Ifs Thinking Should Said Ends Would Be Reading Reader Be Good Enjoyable Dense Masochistic

Author:Josh Radnor

“As a writer, I have readers who will have a range of political views. I don't think they look to me for political guidance.”

Thinking Looks Political Views Reader Range Guidance Political View

Author:Alexander McCall Smith

“Write about small, self-contained incidents that are still vivid in your memory. If you remember them, it's because they contain a larger truth that your readers will recognize in their own lives. Think small and you'll wind up finding the big themes in your family saga.”

Ifs Thinking Writing Stills Self Bigs Remember Memories Wind Reader Findings Our Family Theme Vivid Incidents Our Memories Saga Self Contained

Book:Writing about Your Life: A Journey Into the Past

Source: Writing about Your Life: A Journey Into the Past

“...But I don't think I'm the only person who is tired of books and movies full of paper-doll characters you don't care about, who have no self-respect and no respect for anybody or any institution....And I don't want to sound preachy or Victorian, but I'm tired of amorality in fiction and in real life. Immorality is a fascinating human dilemma that creates suspense for the readers and tension for the characters, but where is the tension in an amoral situation? When people have no personal code, nothing is threatening and nothing is meaningful.”

“I think of every book as a single entity, and some have later gone on to become a series, often at the request of readers.”

Thinking Book Gone Reader Series Entity Request

Author:Lois Lowry

“I think when you've had success, publishers and reviewers and readers are willing to let you try something new if you've already proven yourself. They're excited about what you're doing, you have people interested in it, and actually waiting for it. It's empowering.”

People Ifs Thinking Trying Waiting Willing Reader Excited Empowering Something New Proven Publishers Doing You Reviewers

Author:Lois Lowry

“I think that's a hallmark of a really good story that it has readers that it speaks to more than others.”

Thinking Stories Speak Reader Good Story Hallmark

Author:Erin Morgenstern

“Teaching Plato in Palestine shows how philosophical thinking can illuminate important topics-in particular, the problem of finding ways to engage people with opposed ideologies in fruitful debate. The lively narratives, based on the author's experiences of working with various groups interested in using philosophical tools to clarify their thought and action, will engage a wide range of readers.”

“I like to think that each book I start is a completely new departure But I’ve learned that whatever you do, readers will have no difficulty assimilating it into what you’ve done before.”

Thinking Book Done Reader Difficulty I've Learned Departure

Book:Conversations with Ian McEwan

Source: Conversations with Ian McEwan

“I think it's important that readers know that not every celebrity is a freak.”

Thinking Knows Important Reader Freak

Author:Shania Twain

“I think if a book has the power to move a reader, it also has the power to offend a reader. And you want your books to have power, so you just have to take what comes with that.”

Ifs Thinking Want Book Moving Reader

Author:Katherine Paterson

“If you're writing about a character, if he's a powerful character, unless you give him vulnerability I don't think he'll be as interesting to the reader.”

Ifs Thinking Giving Writing Character Interesting Powerful Reader Vulnerability

Book:Stan Lee's Chakra The Invincible Free Comic Book Day Special 2015

Source: Stan Lee's Chakra The Invincible Free Comic Book Day Special 2015

“I’m imagining that paper books will evolve to become something akin to candles - we have them in our homes and cherish their light, but don’t light our homes with them. Readers of Lincoln’s era would likely be surprised at how well-lit our homes are, and I think it’s likely that we will be surprised at how well-read future book readers will be.”

Thinking Wells Book Home Light Reader Paper Eras Evolve Cherish Candle Lit Book Readers Paper Books

Author:Steve Leveen

“I never tell students they cannot read a book they pick up, but I do guide them toward books that I think would be a good fit for them. I think of myself as a reading mentor-a reader who can help them find books they might like.”

Thinking Book Helping Might Would Be Reading Students Reader Fit Picks Guides Mentor

Book:Reading in the Wild: The Book Whisperer's Keys to Cultivating Lifelong Reading Habits

Source: Reading in the Wild: The Book Whisperer's Keys to Cultivating Lifelong Reading Habits

“The librarian of today, and it will be true still more of the librarians of tomorrow, are not fiery dragons interposed between the people and the books. They are useful public servants, who manage libraries in the interest of the public . . . Many still think that a great reader, or a writer of books, will make an excellent librarian. This is pure fallacy.”

People Thinking Stills Book Today Interest Reader Tomorrow Pure Library Being True Manage Excellent Servant Dragons Librarian Fallacy Fiery Public Servants

Author:William Osler

“I think a good writer is a mix of confidence (sure that what they're writing is going to appeal to their readers) and uncertainty (what if all these words are crap?). If you're too confident, you get an attitude that seeps through into your writing, affecting the characters and the story. If you're too uncertain, you'll never finish anything.”

Ifs Thinking Writing Character Stories Attitude Reader Appeals Uncertainty What If Crap Uncertain Good Writers

Author:Charles de Lint

“It is a fallacy to think that carping is the strongest form of criticism: the important work begins after the artist's mistakes have been pointed out, and the reviewer can't put it off indefinitely with sneers, although some neophytes might be tempted to try: "When in doubt, stick out your tongue" is a safe rule that never cost one any readers. But there's nothing strong about it, and it has nothing to do with the real business of criticism, which is to do justice to the best work of one's time, so that nothing gets lost.”

“I know the British press is very attached to the lobby system. It lets the journalists and the politicians feel proud of their traditional freedoms while giving the reader as much of the truth as they think is good for him.”

Thinking Knows Giving Feels Reader Proud Politician Presses British Traditional Journalist

Author:Tom Stoppard

“Ironically, Henry James' biography comforts me & I long to make known to him his posthumous reputation he wrote, in pain, gave all his life (which is more than I could think of doing I have Ted, will have children but few friends) & the critics insulted & mocked him, readers didn't read him.”

Thinking Children Long Pain Known Reader Comfort Critics Reputation Biographies Insulted Few Friends Posthumous

Book:The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath

Source: The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath

“There are all sorts of theories and ideas about what constitutes a good opening line. It's tricky thing, and tough to talk about because I don't think conceptually while I work on a first draft -- I just write. To get scientific about it is a little like trying to catch moonbeams in a jar. But there's one thing I'm sure about. An opening line should invite the reader to begin the story. It should say: Listen. Come in here. You want to know about this.”

Thinking Knows Want Should Writing Trying Firsts Littles Ideas Stories Lines One Thing Theory Reader Tough Opening Invites Tricky Jars Moonbeams

Author:Stephen King

“I think too much is known about me already. I think biographical information can get in the way of the reading experience. The interchange between the reader and the work. For example, I know far too much about Norman Mailer and Kurt Vonnegut. Because I know as much as I do about their personal lives, I can't read their work without this interjecting itself. So if I had it to do over, I'd probably go the way of J.D. Salinger or Thomas Pynchon. And just stay out of it altogether and let all the focus be on the work itself and not on me.”

Ifs Thinking Knows Way I Can Reading Known Too Much Focus Information Example Reader Personal Life Interchange Salinger Reading Experience

Author:Tom Robbins

“I think Miss Moore was right to cut "The Steeple-Jack" - the poem seems plainer and clearer in its shortened state but she has cut too much... The reader may feel like saying, "Let her do as she pleases with the poem; it's hers, isn't it?" No; it's much too good a poem for that, it long ago became everybody's, and we can protest just as we could if Donatello cut off David's left leg.”

Ifs Thinking Feels May Long States Seems Left Too Much Cutting Missing Reader Please Legs Protest Long Ago Steeples Donatello

Author:Randall Jarrell

“Underneath all his writing there is the settled determination to use certain words, to take certain attitudes, to produce a certain atmosphere; what he is seeing or thinking or feeling has hardly any influence on the way he writes. The reader can reply, ironically, "That's what it means to have a style"; but few people have so much of one, or one so obdurate that you can say of it, "It is a style that no subject can change.”

People Thinking Way Writing Mean Use Feelings Certain Attitude Seeing Influence Subjects Style Produce Reader Determination Atmosphere

Author:Randall Jarrell

“Just think, reader, what will happen to you if the truth of a mad beast overpowers the sane truth of man?”

Ifs Thinking Men Happens Truth Reader Mad Beast Sane

Author:Maxim Gorky

“I pre-suppose, of course, a reader who is willing to learn something new and therefore to think for himself.”

Thinking Courses Willing Reader Something New Willing To Learn

Book:Karl Marx: Selected Writings

Source: Karl Marx: Selected Writings

“I guess I think I'm writing for people who are smarter than I am, because then I'll be doing something that's worth their time. I'd be very afraid to write from a position where I consciously thought I was smarter than most of my readers.”

People Thinking Writing Position Reader Smarter

Author:Susan Sontag

“When modernist poetry, or what not so long ago passed for modernist poetry, can reach the stage where the following piece by Mr. Ezra Pound is seriously offered as a poem, there is some justification for the plain reader and orthodox critic who shrinks from anything that may be labelled 'modernist' either in terms of condemnation or approbation. Better he thinks, that ten authentic poets should be left for posterity to discover than one charlatan should be allowed to steal into the Temple of Fame.”

Thinking Should May Long Left Term Pieces Stage Poet Reader Fame Ten Critics Following Stealing Temples Pounds Orthodox Justification Long Ago Shrinks Posterity Condemnation Charlatans

Author:Laura Riding

“I don't want to write things that people don't want to read. I would have no pleasure in producing something that sold 600 copies but that was considered very wonderful. I would prefer to sell 20,000 copies because the readers loved it. When I write books I don't actually think about the market in that way. I just tell myself the story. I don't think I'm talking to a 10-year-old boy or a six-year-old girl. I just write on the level the story seems to call for.”

People Thinking Way Want Writing Years Book Stories Seems Girl Pleasure Levels Talking Boys Wonderful Reader Six Sells Copies Six Year Olds

Author:Emily Rodda

“You know, I don't think a lot about why one book connects with its readers and another doesn't. Probably because I don't want to start thinking, "Am I popular?" I spent way too much time thinking about that in high school.”

Thinking Knows Way Want Book School Too Much Reader High School

Author:Ursula K. Le Guin

“In the end all books are written for your friends. The problem after writing One Hundred Years of Solitude was that now I no longer know whom of the millions of readers I am writing for; this upsets and inhibits me. It's like a million eyes are looking at you and you don't really know what they think.”

Thinking Knows Writing Years Book Ends Problem Eye Millions Written Reader Solitude Hundred Upset One Hundred Years Of Solitude

Author:Gabriel Garcia Marquez

“Greatest misconception about Wikipedia: We aren’t democratic. Our readers edit the entries, but we’re actually quite snobby. The core community appreciates when someone is knowledgeable, and thinks some people are idiots and shouldn’t be writing.”

People Thinking Writing Community Reader Appreciate Democratic Core Idiot Edits Entry Misconception Knowledgeable Snobby

Author:Jimmy Wales

“I would like to please the reader, and I think that surprise has to be an element of this, and that may necessitate a certain amount of teasing. To shock the reader is something else again. That has to be handled with great care if you're not going to alienate and hurt him, and I'm firmly against that, just as I disapprove of people who dress with that in mind - dye their hair blue and stick safety pins through their noses and so on.”

People Ifs Thinking Mind May Care Certain Hurt Hair Reader Amount Please Elements Dresses Safety Blue Sticks Surprise Noses Shock Pins Tease Safety Pins

Author:John Ashbery

“I must suppose that reading wonderful writers may, inadvertently, teach an avid reader a great deal -- not only about life and other matters, but about how to write. Therefore doubtless I have benefited from frequent immersions in the glowing genius of others. It would be nice to think so. (I do actually think so). But to improve my skills will never be the prompting force of my reading -- that's just literary lust.”

Thinking Writing May Matter Would Be Reading Force Deals Teach Nice Wonderful Reader Genius Skills Lust Being Nice Glowing Avid Immersion

Author:Tanith Lee

“The reader can test his own psychology by asking himself whether he would consider, in retrospect, the selling at 156 in 1925 and buying back at 109 in 1931 was a satisfactory operation. Some may think that an intelligent investor should have been able to sell out much closer to the high of 381 and to buy back nearer the low of 41. If that is your own view you are probably a speculator at heart and will have trouble keeping to true investment precepts while the market rushes up and down.”

“I have a very positive outlook on things. It's hard to predict how actual books are going to do but I'm not freaked out about ebooks taking over. I think there are probably more active readers now because of computers and iPhones.”

Thinking Book Hard Reader Computer Active Outlook Positive Outlook Iphone Very Positive

Author:Kevin Sampsell

“I don't think it is worth explaining how a character's nose or chin looks. It is my feeling that readers will prefer to construct, little by little, their own characterthe author will do well to entrust the reader with this part of the work.”

Thinking Wells Looks Littles Character Feelings Reader Noses Constructs Explaining Chins

Author:Jose Saramago

“Would you buy a book proudly stating on the cover that its reader is a dummy? Or would you think "of course it's ironic"?”

Thinking Book Courses Reader Ironic Dummy

Author:Erik Naggum

“You have to seduce the reader, manipulate their mind and heart, listen to the music of language. I sometimes think of prose as music, in terms of its rhythms and dynamics, the way you compress and expand the attention of a reader over a sentence, the way the tempo pushes you towards an image or sensation. We want an intense experience, so that we can forget ourselves when we enter the world of the book. When you are reading, the physical object of the book should disappear from your hands.”

“I think readers appreciate those of us who stay in the trenches and fight the good fight even when times get tough. I know that I, personally, lost respect for writers who, when there was a downturn in the market, started shouting from the rooftops that they wrote thrillers and suspense novels rather than horror. As far as I'm concerned, those wussboys should sever all ties with the horror community if that's the way they feel and get out of the way so real horror writers can do their work.”

“Most people are middle class. Most people do wish their lives were better than they are. And I think by making my main characters ordinary, average guys, it helps readers identify with their problems. It also helps ground the supernatural events that follow in a recognizable reality and perhaps gives some of my wilder scenarios a little verisimilitude.”

People Thinking Giving Littles Character Helping Problem Reality Guy Wish Class Middle Events Reader Ordinary Average Middle Class Scenarios Main Characters Wilder

Author:Bentley Little

“I have been induced to adopt this course by a desire that my readers should be taught to think as well as to experiment, and thus be qualified at an early part of their study to discriminate between the true and the false, and acquire the facts of the science without being mystified by its fictions.”

Thinking Should Wells Has Beens Facts Desire Courses Fiction Study Taught Reader Experiments Acquire Qualified

Book:Chemical Recreations: A Compendium of Experimental Chemistry

Source: Chemical Recreations: A Compendium of Experimental Chemistry

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