Attention Quote by Kathleen Norris
“Poets are immersed in process, and I mean process not as an amorphous blur but as a discipline. The hard work of writing has taught me that in matters of the heart, such as writing, or faith, there is no right or wrong way to do it, but only the way of your life. Just paying attention will teach you what bears fruit and what doesn't. But it will be necessary to revise--to doodle, scratch out, erase, even make a mess of things--in order to make it come out right.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Art of Writing, The New Yorker, 2018
Writing is a disciplined process; trial and error guide growth, and attention reveals what works.
In simple terms: Writing needs discipline, trial, and attention.
Key Takeaway
Embrace iterative practice.
Themes
creativity
discipline
growth
Mood
thoughtful
encouraging
Type
literary
self‑help
When to use this quote
- drafting essays
- creative workshops
- personal journaling
Key Concepts
process orientation
mindful practice
revision
Questions to Reflect On
- What part of your process yields the most insight?
- How do you balance structure with spontaneity?
A Different Perspective
Process can be messy and time‑consuming.
![“I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with [my wife] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and I just had such a strong reaction to the prayer. And I was really emotionally - I felt really grounded at that time. And so to be in this prayer and the imam is doing the prayer in…” quote by Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d31/mahershala-ali-6687_attention_i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with_3083.jpg)
