Art Quote by Lorrie Moore
“Writing is both the excursion into and the excursion out of one's life. That is the queasy paradox of the artistic life. It is the thing that, like love, removes one both painfully and deliciously from the ordinary shape of existence. It joins another queasy paradox: that life is an amazing, hilarious, blessed gift and that it is also intolerable.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Art of Writing,” The New Yorker, 1997
Writing simultaneously immerses and extracts one from life, creating a paradox of pain and delight.
In simple terms: Writing pulls you into and out of life, both painful and joyous.
Key Takeaway
Embrace writing’s paradox to deepen self‑understanding.
Themes
art
writing
paradox
life
joy
pain
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- journaling
- novel writing
- creative retreats
Key Concepts
self‑expression
creative process
existential reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- How does writing change your perception of life?
- Can pain be a catalyst for art?
A Different Perspective
Counterpoint: The paradox can cause creative paralysis.
