Day #21 Quotes for Writers

“A writer needs three things, experience, observation, and imagination, any two of which , at times any one of which, can supply the lack of the others.” William Faulkner

A writer needs experience, to live a little, experience new things, interact with life. This keeps writing from being flat and dull. Live a little and let your writing do the same.
A writer needs observation- the ability to see what others don’t. A writer will notice subtle nuances, body language, tone and expression, human quirks, the sound of a raindrop hitting a puddle, the roughness of the paper beneath the hand, the faint scent of garlic on the fingers, the glint of flirtation in the eye.
A writer needs imagination- the ability to conjure what is lacking. In a way a writer is an exaggerator, taking the common and making it uncommon, unique, like it’s never been before.
These are the tools in a writer’s toolbox.
To read more in the series, 31 Days of Quotes for Writers, click the button.

Fountain pen image courtesy of gregwake on flickr