“Learning by doing is especially important. There is more to be learned from writing a bad novel than from attending twenty good novel-writing workshops…And to do that writing, a writer needs inner permission to write.” ~ Eric Maisel, Living the Writer’s Life.
Giving myself permission to be the writer has been my life’s challenge. The world and family pull me in many directions. To be a writer requires dedication, commitment to the craft, even to the exclusion of loved ones at times.
“She walked into her empty sitting room and closed the door behind her the better to relish that sweet solitude which to her was the breath of life.” ~ Miss Read, No Holly for Miss Quinn.
Miss Read’s novels are a haven. They appear deceptively simply, yet these novels continue to be published today, providing wisdom, comfort, and joy.
“To endure is the first thing a child ought to learn, and that which he will have the most need to know.” ~ Jean-Jacques Rousseau, author of Pygmalion
To endure is the first thing a writer must learn, too.
Curtiss Ann Matlock 
8 responses to “Gleanings from What I’ve Been Reading”
I just happened on to your blog and yelled, Hurrah! I have read several of your books and reread them. I’m looking forward to getting a list of all that you have written. Ann Champeau
bachamp@sbcglobal.net
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Thank you, Ann. I’m delighted to know you have enjoyed my books. You can find lists by clicking on the ‘Books’ tab above.
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That first quote hit me at the bone. Loved it. Thank you for the birthday card sweetie.
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Hit me, too. Helps to write these wisdoms so as to go over them. So glad you were born!
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I agree about Miss Read’s novels. I read and loved every one.
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Miss Read’s descriptions are flowing yet to the point, and so alive.
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I do like reading your posts. I’m not a writer, but it gives me encouragement too. Thank you…
Sent from my iPad
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Hey, girlfriend. I believe what encourages writers is the same thing that encourages us all to keep breathing.
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