The true function of a writer is to produce a masterpiece and no other task is of any consequence.

The true function of a writer is to produce a masterpiece and no other task is of any consequence.

Originality is nothing by judicious imitation. The most original writers borrowed one from another.

Originality is nothing by judicious imitation. The most original writers borrowed one from another.

He lives the poetry that he cannot write. The others write the poetry that they dare not realise.

He lives the poetry that he cannot write. The others write the poetry that they dare not realise.

For your born writer, nothing is so healing as the realization that he has come upon the right word.

For your born writer, nothing is so healing as the realization that he has come upon the right word.

For a creative writer possession of the "truth" is less important than emotional sincerity.

For a creative writer possession of the "truth" is less important than emotional sincerity.

A writer is, after all, only half his book. The other half is the reader and from the reader the read more

A writer is, after all, only half his book. The other half is the reader and from the reader the writer learns.

A catless writer is almost inconceivable. It's a perverse taste, really, since it would be easier to write with a read more

A catless writer is almost inconceivable. It's a perverse taste, really, since it would be easier to write with a herd of buffalo in the room than even one cat; they make nests in the notes and bite the end of the pen and walk on the typewriter keys.

I write when I'm inspired, and I see to it that I'm inspired at nine o'clock every morning

I write when I'm inspired, and I see to it that I'm inspired at nine o'clock every morning

The ability of writers to imagine what is not the self, to familiarize the strange and mystify the familiar, is read more

The ability of writers to imagine what is not the self, to familiarize the strange and mystify the familiar, is the test of their power.