6 Comments

Quotes about Writing – Pick One – GO

Quotes about WritingToday is one of those days where the to-do list is piled high. A blog post that is going to take some time and thought to write isn’t going to happen. So instead, I leave it up to you – my readers to add the depth to this post!

A favorite opening activity I use in professional learning opportunities is to provide educators with a list of quotes about the focus area of the day. I ask them to choose one of the quotes and then gather with a partner (or small group) that choose that same quote. In that partnership they are to have a conversation about why they each chose the quote. It is likely they chose it for different reasons, hence opening up the dialogue.

To then extend and diversify their learning from others, they meet with an individual (or small group) that chose a different quote than they did. They share their reasoning with each other. They have the opportunity to learn from other perspectives.

So, online learners … choose a quote. Which of the following quotes about writing resonates with you and why? Leave a comment about why your chose that particular quote. Come back to the post later to read other responses. Did someone confirm your ideas and thoughts? Did you pick the same quote but for different reasons? Did someone push your thinking in a different direction? What did you learn from someone else’s perspective.

GO

The true writer has nothing to say. What counts is the way he says it. – Alain Robbe-Grillet

Most of the basic material a writer works with is acquired before the age of fifteen.  – Willa Cather

Get it down. Take chances. It may be bad, but it’s the only way you can do anything really good. – William Faulkner

If there’s a book you really want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.  – Toni Morrison

Writing became such a process of discovery that I couldn’t wait to get to work in the morning:  I wanted to know what I was going to say.  – Sharon O’Brien

I’m not a very good writer, but I’m an excellent rewriter.  – James Michener

Write down the thoughts of the moment.  Those that come unsought for are commonly the most valuable.  – Francis Bacon

The first sentence can’t be written until the final sentence is written. – Joyce Carol Oates

A writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people. – Thomas Mann

These quotes were chosen for no particular reason. Just quick quotes on the topic of writing. Find one that resonates with you and tell us why. Do you have a favorite quote about writing that inspires you? Share it with us!

slice-of-life_classroom-image-blackDuring March, I am blogging daily as a part of the Slice of Life Story Challenge! More Slice of Life posts can be found on Two Writing Teachers. I am hoping this posts makes it in on time. I’m off on my time zones! 

6 Comments

  • franmcveigh 12 Mar

    Get it down. Take chances. It may be bad, but it’s the only way you can do anything really good. – William Faulkner

    Writing is risky but something is always better than nothing is why I chose this quote!

    Love this idea!!!

    • Kathy Perret 12 Mar

      My goodness you are quick, Fran! Thanks for adding depth to my post! It will be fun to see what others choose and why!

      Kathy

  • bevbaird 12 Mar

    Michener’s and Toni Morrisson’s quotes resonate. I write tho because I have to. Great array of quotes!

  • Julie Crocker 12 Mar

    I love them all but the choice is clear – the William Faulkner quote. Writing is hard for me and I desperately want my writing to be good. But I have learned through 3 years of doing this challenge that I have to keep trying. It may be bad, but I have to take that risk – hoping that it someday turns to good. Excellent idea!!! Thank you.

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