Qool Quotes

[Jack of Hearts]

So sometimes, in this writing forum, this reader comes across some absolutely inspiring things other posters have either said or expressed in a work. Some of these things are just funny/awesome. He's going to post his favorite quotes in this thread, with an emphasis mostly on quotes that do not come from stories or poems (but sometimes they're so good we can't help ourselves).

So here we go. If you see your quote here, and you don't want it here, just say so and it will be removed.

Also, you post 'em here too and we'll share/discuss, etc.




If you want.










J

[Jack of Hearts]

1.

"Maybe you should look to find the seeds of what you seek and water what you like."


- Jerrybaldy on giving others feedback
Original Thread (http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55406)

[Jack of Hearts]

2.

"It is indeed a mixture of consciences. The rhetoric of consistency is a Protagorian aberration of sophism. No diarrhealectics. Parallel flows, per subject. Beautiful, elucidating piece. Swift style."


- calofini on ???
Original Thread (http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65903)

[Jack of Hearts]

3.

"There is something about this fine poem that suggests to me one of those quantum leaps from the last level of mastery you reached, on to a new, more confident and freer state of mind."


- PrinceMyshkin on Bar22do and her amazing poem 'Hours'
Original Thread (http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64687)

[Jack of Hearts]

4.

"If it was in a glass, it would be a shot glass, and the content would probably be unchilled tequila."


- DocHeart giving feedback in the Short Story Forum

[Jack of Hearts]

5.

"Kim and Me on the inside, Kim and Me followed by Gray Orchid, Four Little Words fiercely racing up on the outside, Four Little Words trying to open the gap between himself and The Game as they go by the line for the first time, Hioulia/Julia right off the rail catching up with The Game and leading Secret Memory and Field Trip by two legs. Further away back in the field now are Reflections of a Murderer and Archie's Girl. Here they come around the corner, four hundred and fifty to go, and it's Kim and Me leading while Gray Orchid and Four Little Words are gathering pace, now The Game off the stridle goes outside to try and his nose in front, and Hioulia /Julia travels the corner well along with Four Little Words. Very close behind them indeed are Field Day, and it's Reflections of a Murderer and Archie's Girl getting away from the rail as we approach the final stretch..."


- DocHeart narrating the June elimination round of the 2011 Short Story Contest
Original Thread (http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61913)

[Jack of Hearts]

6.

"Might I suggest something I learned after doing readings of some of my plays. Listen, try not to defend your work, and when it comes to praise or criticism...read Kipling:

"If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same.""


- JackShea on defending one's work.
Original Thread (http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20367)

[Jack of Hearts]

7.

"Is this about pissing?"


- Jack of Hearts making a fumble on an interpretation
Original Thread (http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63211)

[Jack of Hearts]

8.

"Again - the phrase 'show don't tell' comes to mind."


- hillwalker to a poster who declared that they were a 'good writer'
Original Thread (http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58546)

[wandering]

If you wish to become that which you are, then stop and hit the reset button.
t.sievers 12/7/11

Life is the walk that you design for yourself, don't ask me to come with you.
t.sievers 12/7/11

[Pensive]

I don't exactly remember who it was. Perhaps it was Silas Thorne.

If you cut your heart out and examine it with your reason and logic, it will cease to work.
I hope I have at least quoted it correctly.

[Jack of Hearts]

That seems like a Lokasenna. Hmmm... perhaps a hunt is in order.







J



EDIT: Nope, it's a Silas Thorne. Now time for its provenance...

[Jack of Hearts]

9.

"... but if you cut your heart out and examine it with your reason and logic it will cease to work."


- Silas Thorne replying to a poem
Original Thread (http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40748)

(quote contributed by Pensive)

[Jack of Hearts]

There's gotta be some more of these around somewhere.







J

[Jack of Hearts]

What a lovely thread.






J

[PoeticPassions]

I like this thread, Jack. Let me see what I can come up with, and will post soon.

Speaking of Silas, oh he's been gone for too long... :( love the quote though

[Jack of Hearts]

PP, you're also part of the Silas fanclub?






J

[Jack of Hearts]

10.

"That said, too much agreement is like too many fat guys in a hot tub; sure, it's comfortable, but you just end up with some nasty broth."


- MorpheusSandman on discussion
Original Thread (http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69221&page=7)

[Hawkman]

Personally I don't think I'd be very comfortable sharing a hot tub with any guy, fat or not. Each to his own, I guess... ;)

[Jack of Hearts]

11.

"Following the words that come from somewhere, looking for them somewhere along that road, you try to express what it is that visits you. But if you try to hide too much, what comes out is just mechanical."


- Silas Thorne on intimacy and the artist
Original Thread (http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1145558#post1145558)

[Jack of Hearts]

12.

"It's probably a good thing new authors have egos. They need them when they start getting rejection slips!"


- Steven 'Headshot' Hunley on writing
Original Thread (http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68017)

[Jack of Hearts]

13.

"However, let me get this straight: what are these "defenses" we're talking about, the ones you've now decided to try to live without? What were they protecting you from up to now?

You mention that they hindered your creativity. How?

Did they make you write "for others", always bearing their sensitivities in mind, so that they would be more likely to offer positive reviews? I did this for a long time. I wrote for specific women. While writing, I tried to second-guess what their reactions would be while reading. Those weren't truthful writings, they were artificial to the point of being plastic.

Then, of course, there's writing "for audiences". I wrote leftist ideology polemics for the university paper, I wrote technical manuals for software testers, I wrote BDSM fiction for a forum of "literary eroticists" (sic), and I wrote short dialogues between toy dinosaurs and blond rosey-cheeked toddlers for English language teaching publications. None of this stuff made me feel good while I was writing it. I'm not saying that being sensitive to your readers' needs is a bad thing; I'm just saying that being sensitive to a specific group's needs at the expense of your own sensitivities stifles your creativity. That is how I understand your point about being open while being creative. It's a huge step to make.

Or is it, perhaps, something totally different? It may be that, unlike me, you have always written for yourself and everyone else, avoiding the pitfall of formatting your work to please a girlfriend or a specific audience. But, at the same time, you've been hesitant about sharing to the point of becoming secretive. Writing is not a manly endeavour, right? Certainly not what the lads (or the lasses) down the bar would guess you do at nights. If that is the case, my first instinct would be to advise you to let it all out and level with everyone. Girls around these parts love that kind of stuff, especially when it comes from a man who fits masculine stereotypes in all other respects and, more importantly, does what is expected of him: earns an honest (but good) living, and always waits for them to have an orgasm first. (But beware -- don't write just for them. Write for yourself and for everyone else.)

I don't even know if I'm remotely on the right track, but I'll keep writing anyway.

Summary of defenses being abandoned: (1) writing with the needs of individuals or specific groups firmly in mind so that negative criticism is avoided; (2) being secretive about your writing to the point of hiding a part of yourself from others, for fear of being labeled "less of a man". These can both happen at the same time, by the way, and that's a bad way to be.

Abandoning (1) will almost certainly lead to: viewing your writing more objectively, and becoming a better editor for yourself; exploring different genres and topics; persevering with work until it feels right to show to anybody, not just to a certain person or group of people; and probably many other good things.

Abandoning (2) will allow your daily interactions with people you value (friends, girlfriends, family) to become part of your (up until now secret) writing life. I'm not saying that everyone will dig it or be supportive. Most people will be indifferent. Some will even mock you. Be ready for a couple of jokes that might hurt a little. But even the ones who reject it won't stop being part of your life just because you are a writer. After all, I'm sure you are a lot of other things, too, which they have appreciated until today and will continue to do so. At the same time, you might find that some of them embrace your art in their own unique ways -- some by wanting to read your pieces, some by simply encouraging you to keep going. Also, and this is important, opening up in this way might allow your daily life to merge with your writing in a way that inspires you more.

Do I practise what I preach? Only as far as (1) is concerned, and this only in the last year or so. Regarding (2), I have to admit that I remain pretty much in the closet, at least to my male friends. As you say, it's not easy to be open. But at least you started experimenting with it early enough. If you keep it up, by the time you're my age, you'll have written many more things than I have, and much better things, too, without ever jeopardizing the number of girls you can potentially pin."


- DocHeart on intimacy, honesty and writing
Original Thread (http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69481)