Back together Quote by Donald Hall
“Work is style, and there is style without thought; not in theory, only in fact. When I take a sentence in my hand, raise it to the light, rub my hand across it, disjoin it, put it back together again with a comma added, raising the pitch in the front part; when I rub the grain of it, comb the fur of it, re-assemble the bones of it, I am making something that carries with it the sound of a voice, the firmness of a hand. Maybe little more.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Art of Editing, Donald Hall, 1990
The quote describes how a writer reshapes language physically, treating text as a tactile object to reveal deeper meaning and voice.
In simple terms: Writing is like sculpting words to give them texture and sound.
Key Takeaway
Treat text as a material to shape and hear.
Themes
creativity
craft
language
perception
Mood
reflective
introspective
Type
literary
process
When to use this quote
- editing workshops
- creative writing classes
- personal journaling
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
aesthetic
embodiment
syntax
Questions to Reflect On
- How does physical interaction with text change its meaning?
- Can form ever fully convey intent?
A Different Perspective
The process may overlook the importance of content over form.
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