The writer must believe that what he is doing is the most important thing in the world. And he must hold to this illusion even when he knows it is not true.

Quote by John Steinbeck

Topics: Writers Quotes

As happens sometimes, a moment settled and hovered and remained for much more than a...

As happens sometimes, a moment settled and hovered and remained for much more than a...

The profession of book-writing makes horse racing seem like a solid, stable business.

The profession of book-writing makes horse racing seem like a solid, stable business.

I have never smuggled anything in my life. Why, then, do I feel an uneasy...

I have never smuggled anything in my life. Why, then, do I feel an uneasy...

These words dropped into my childish mind as if you should accidentally drop a ring...

These words dropped into my childish mind as if you should accidentally drop a ring...

A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. And all plans, safeguards,...

A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. And all plans, safeguards,...

It is true that we are weak and sick and ugly and quarrelsome but if...

It is true that we are weak and sick and ugly and quarrelsome but if...

Maybe there ain't no sin and there ain't no virtue, they's just what people does....

Maybe there ain't no sin and there ain't no virtue, they's just what people does....

I've seen a look in dogs' eyes, a quickly vanishing look of amazed contempt, and...

I've seen a look in dogs' eyes, a quickly vanishing look of amazed contempt, and...

Four hoarse blasts of a ship's whistle still raise the hair on my neck and...

Four hoarse blasts of a ship's whistle still raise the hair on my neck and...

One can find so many pains when the rain is falling.

One can find so many pains when the rain is falling.

Give a critic an inch, he'll write a play.

Give a critic an inch, he'll write a play.

I have come to believe that a great teacher is a great artist and that...

I have come to believe that a great teacher is a great artist and that...

It's so much darker when a light goes out than it would have been if...

It's so much darker when a light goes out than it would have been if...

I hate cameras. They are so much more sure than I am about everything.

I hate cameras. They are so much more sure than I am about everything.

Writers are a little below clowns and a little above trained seals.

Writers are a little below clowns and a little above trained seals.

Don't worry about losing. If it is right, it happens - The Main thing is...

Don't worry about losing. If it is right, it happens - The Main thing is...

In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy,...

In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy,...

In utter loneliness a writer tries to explain the inexplicable.

In utter loneliness a writer tries to explain the inexplicable.

Many a trip continues long after movement in time and space have ceased.

Many a trip continues long after movement in time and space have ceased.

The writer must believe that what he is doing is the most important thing in...

The writer must believe that what he is doing is the most important thing in...