The writer is delegated to declare and to celebrate man's proven capacity for greatness of heart and spirit—for gallantry in defeat, for… — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
The design of a book is the pattern of a reality controlled and shaped by the mind of the writer. This is… — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
The design of a book is the pattern of a reality controlled and shaped by the mind of a writer. — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
When you collect marine animals there are certain flat worms so delicate that they are almost impossible to catch whole for they… — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
I wish to God I knew as much about writing as I did when I was 19. I was absolutely certain about… — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
The discipline of the written word punishes both stupidity and dishonesty. — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
“Maybe it’s like this, Max--you know how, when you are working on a long and ordered piece, all sorts of bright and… — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
A writer out of loneliness is trying to communicate like a distant star sending signals. He isn't telling or teaching or ordering.… — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
I have taken as much as six years to prepare a book for writing. There is such a delirium of effort in… — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
The basic rule [of writing] given us was simple and heartbreaking. A story to be effective had to convey something from the… — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
“The ancient commission of the writer has not changed. He is charged with exposing our many grievous faults and failures, with dredging… — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
I suffer as always from the fear of putting down the first line. It is amazing the terrors, the magics, the prayers,… — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
If there is a magic in story writing, and I am convinced there is, no one has ever been able to reduce… — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
The curious hocus-pocus of criticism I can't take seriously. It consists in squirreling up some odd phrases and then waiting for a… — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
“In every bit of honest writing in the world, there is a base theme. Try to understand men, if you understand each… — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
They must be real people. And this means that every word in every line of speech must be accurate and full of… — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
A good writer always works at the impossible.There is another kind who pulls in his horizons, drops his mind as one lowers… — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
The craft of writing is the art of penetrating other minds with the figures that are in your own mind. — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
The writer must believe that what he is doing is the most important thing in the world. And he must hold to… — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
“The writer must believe that what he is doing is the most important thing in the world. And he must hold onto… — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
In writing, habit seems to be a much stronger force than either willpower or inspiration. — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
I have no interest in the printed word. I would continue to write if there were no writing and no print. I… — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
“I will go so far as to say that the writer who is not scared is happily unaware of the remote and… — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
Boileau said that Kings, Gods and Heroes only were fit subjects for literature. The writer can only write about what he admires.… — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three [great teachers] did not… — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
Prayer never brought in no side-meat. Takes a shoat to bring in pork. — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
“And now submarines are armed with mass murder, our silly, only way of deterring mass murder.” — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
“I’d think there are degrees of greatness,” Adam said. “I don’t think so,” said Samuel. “That would be like saying there is a little… — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
“He was forever inventing a new way of doing an old thing and doing it better and quicker, but he never in his whole… — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
“You come back a changed man. Samuel, you don’t change him. He changes you. I can see the look of him in your face.”… — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
I find out of long experience that I admire all nations and hate all governments — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
At about 10 o'clock in the morning the sun threw a bright dust-laden bar through one of the side windows and in and out… — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
I have noticed that there is no dissatisfaction like that of the rich. Feed a man, clothe him, put him in a good house,… — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
Sometimes, a lie is told in kindness. I don't believe it ever works kindly. The quick pain of truth can pass away, but the… — John Steinbeck Copy Share Image
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