Writing is a solitary occupation. Family, friends, and society are the natural enemies of the writer. He must be alone, uninterrupted, and slightly savage if he is to sustain and complete an undertaking.

Quote by Jessamyn West

Topics: Writing Quotes

A rattlesnake that doesn't bite teaches you nothing.

A rattlesnake that doesn't bite teaches you nothing.

Justice is a terrible but necessary thing

Justice is a terrible but necessary thing

A broken bone can heal, but the wound a word opens can fester forever.

A broken bone can heal, but the wound a word opens can fester forever.

Talent is helpful in writing, but guts are absolutely necessary.

Talent is helpful in writing, but guts are absolutely necessary.

Talent is helpful in writing, but guts are absolutely necessary.

Talent is helpful in writing, but guts are absolutely necessary.

A big iron needle stitching the country together.

A big iron needle stitching the country together.

Only a fool would refuse to enter a fool's paradise when that's the only paradise...

Only a fool would refuse to enter a fool's paradise when that's the only paradise...

Nothing is so dear as what you're about to leave.

Nothing is so dear as what you're about to leave.

The West is color. Its colors are animal rather than vegetable, the colors of earth...

The West is color. Its colors are animal rather than vegetable, the colors of earth...

We want the facts to fit the preconceptions. When they don't it is easier to...

We want the facts to fit the preconceptions. When they don't it is easier to...

If you train people properly, they won't be able to tell a drill from the...

If you train people properly, they won't be able to tell a drill from the...

Groan and forget it.

Groan and forget it.

Sleeplessness is a desert without vegetation or inhabitants.

Sleeplessness is a desert without vegetation or inhabitants.

Writing is a solitary occupation. Family, friends, and society are the natural enemies of the...

Writing is a solitary occupation. Family, friends, and society are the natural enemies of the...

A taste for irony has kept more hearts from breaking than a sense of humor,...

A taste for irony has kept more hearts from breaking than a sense of humor,...

Faithfulness to the past can be a kind of death above ground. Writing of the...

Faithfulness to the past can be a kind of death above ground. Writing of the...

Justice is a terrible but necessary thing.

Justice is a terrible but necessary thing.

Teaching is the royal road to learning.

Teaching is the royal road to learning.

The basic essential of a great actor is that he loves himself in acting.

The basic essential of a great actor is that he loves himself in acting.

In their sympathies, children feel nearer animals than adults.

In their sympathies, children feel nearer animals than adults.