--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For any writer who wants to keep a…" description: "\"For any writer who wants to keep a journal, be alive to everything, not just to what you're feeling, but also to your pets, to flowers, to what you're ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e32/may-sarton-897_alive_for-any-writer-who-wants-to-keep-a-journ_2596233.jpg" --- # For any writer who wants to keep a journal, be alive to… ![“For any writer who wants to keep a journal, be alive to everything, not just to what you're feeling, but also to your pets, to flowers, to what you're reading.” quote by May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e32/may-sarton-897_alive_for-any-writer-who-wants-to-keep-a-journ_2596233.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e32/may-sarton-897_alive_for-any-writer-who-wants-to-keep-a-journ_2596233.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e32/may-sarton-897_alive_for-any-writer-who-wants-to-keep-a-journ_2596233.jpg) > “For any writer who wants to keep a journal, be alive to everything, not just to what you're feeling, but also to your pets, to flowers, to what you're reading.” [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A writer should observe all aspects of life, not just emotions, to enrich their journal with diverse details. **In simple terms:** Writers should note everything, not just feelings. Key Takeaway Observe and record all details. Themes writing mindfulness observation creativity Mood thoughtful inspirational Type creative reflective When to use this quote - daily journaling - creative writing - nature walks - pet care Key Concepts sensory awareness holistic perception detail orientation Questions to Reflect On - What mundane detail could enhance your writing? - How does observing nature affect your mood? A Different Perspective Focusing only on feelings may miss richer context. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) [Feeling Pets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feeling-pets-1905535/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Flower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flower/) [Journal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journal/) [Journal Alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journal-alive-1905533/) [Pet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pet/) [Reading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reading/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Wants Journal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wants-journal-1905534/) [Writer Wants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer-wants-290242/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I feel happy to be keeping a journal again. I've missed it, missed naming things as they appear, missed the half hour when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/i-feel-happy-to-be-keeping-a-journal-again-i-ve-missed-it-missed/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [I always forget how important the empty days are, how important it may be sometimes not to expect to produce anything, even a few…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/i-always-forget-how-important-the-empty-days-are-how-important-it-may/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [The only difference between a writer and someone who wants to be a writer is discipline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayelet-waldman/the-only-difference-between-a-writer-and-someone-who-wants-to-be-a/) [Ayelet Waldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayelet-waldman/) > [Every writer prefers good reviews over bad ones, and every writer wants to have lots of readers. But if it doesn't happen, that's fine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/every-writer-prefers-good-reviews-over-bad-ones-and-every-writer/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [A writer who wants to be translated and published abroad faces a very difficult challenge: first of all, he must make sure that his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-lukyanenko/a-writer-who-wants-to-be-translated-and-published-abroad-faces-a-very/) [Sergei Lukyanenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-lukyanenko/) > [A good writer wants from us — or has no right to ask more than — intelligence, good faith and time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-jeremiah-sullivan/a-good-writer-wants-from-us-or-has-no-right-to-ask-more-than/) [John Jeremiah Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-jeremiah-sullivan/) > [I think every writer wants future generations to read what he has written.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruskin-bond/i-think-every-writer-wants-future-generations-to-read-what-he-has/) [Ruskin Bond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruskin-bond/) > [“Good writers are those who keep the language efficient. That is to say, keep it accurate, keep it clear. It doesn't matter whether the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-pound/good-writers-are-those-who-keep-the-language-efficient-that-is-to-say-2/) [Ezra Pound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-pound/) > [What writer wants to make compromises with story? Story is the only reason you're in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-simon/what-writer-wants-to-make-compromises-with-story-story-is-the-only/) [David Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-simon/) > [“The shoddy writer wants only publication. He fails to recognize that almost anyone willing to devote between twelve and fourteen hours a day to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gardner/the-shoddy-writer-wants-only-publication-he-fails-to-recognize-that/) [John Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gardner/) > [I think it's a greater risk not to write about 9\\11. If you're in my position - a New Yorker who felt the event…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/i-think-it-s-a-greater-risk-not-to-write-about-9-11-if-you-re-in-my/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [Every 'Observer' writer wants to be a novelist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-kushner/every-observer-writer-wants-to-be-a-novelist/) [Jared Kushner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-kushner/) > [“If the writer wants to create suspense, or build tension, or make the reader wait and wonder, or join a journey of discovery, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-peter-clark/if-the-writer-wants-to-create-suspense-or-build-tension-or-make-the/) [Roy Peter Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-peter-clark/) > [“A Book I Can Put Down I’m halfway through and I’ve gotten used to the way it wants to be read. This writer wants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonia-clark/a-book-i-can-put-down-i-m-halfway-through-and-i-ve-gotten-used-to-the/) [Antonia Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonia-clark/) > [Let the writer take up surgery or bricklaying if he is interested in technique. There is no mechanical way to get the writing done,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-faulkner/let-the-writer-take-up-surgery-or-bricklaying-if-he-is-interested-in/) [William Faulkner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-faulkner/) ## More by May Sarton > [“I felt pain like an assault, The old pain again When the world thrusts itself inside, When we have to take in the outside,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/i-felt-pain-like-an-assault-the-old-pain-again-when-the-world-thrusts/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [Most people have to talk so they won't hear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/most-people-have-to-talk-so-they-won-t-hear/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [People who cannot feel punish those who do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/people-who-cannot-feel-punish-those-who-do/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [This suspension of one's own reality, this being entirely alone in a strange city (at times I wondered if I had lost the power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/this-suspension-of-one-s-own-reality-this-being-entirely-alone-in-a/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [One must think like a hero to behave like a merely decent human being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/one-must-think-like-a-hero-to-behave-like-a-merely-decent-human-being/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [Real joy is becoming exceedingly rare among artists of any kind. And I have an idea that those who can and do communicate it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/real-joy-is-becoming-exceedingly-rare-among-artists-of-any-kind-and-i/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [For to be desperate is to discover strength. / We die of comfort and by conflict live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/for-to-be-desperate-is-to-discover-strength-we-die-of-comfort-and-by/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [“I see you with that shell Held to your sensitive abstracted ear, Hunting the ocean’s rumor till you hear it well, Until you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/i-see-you-with-that-shell-held-to-your-sensitive-abstracted-ear/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [There is a wilder solitude in winter When every sense is pricked alive and keen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/there-is-a-wilder-solitude-in-winter-when-every-sense-is-pricked/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [I long for the bulbs to arrive, for the early autumn chores are melancholy, but the planting of bulbs is the work of hope…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/i-long-for-the-bulbs-to-arrive-for-the-early-autumn-chores-are/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [Why is it that people who cannot show feeling presume that that is a strength and not a weakness?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/why-is-it-that-people-who-cannot-show-feeling-presume-that-that-is-a/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [Innocence is not pure so much as pleased, Always expectant, bright-eyed, self-enclosed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/innocence-is-not-pure-so-much-as-pleased-always-expectant-bright-eyed/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [I have written every poem, every novel, for the same purpose-to find out what I think, to know where I stand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/i-have-written-every-poem-every-novel-for-the-same-purpose-to-find/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [For art is order, but it is born out of the chaos of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/for-art-is-order-but-it-is-born-out-of-the-chaos-of-life/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [all great people are humble because great people have great work and are humbled by the largeness of their dreams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/all-great-people-are-humble-because-great-people-have-great-work-and/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) [Explore all 336 May Sarton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) ## More Alive quotes > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I feel very grateful to be alive and well enough to make music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-ant/i-feel-very-grateful-to-be-alive-and-well-enough-to-make-music/) [Adam Ant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-ant/) > [I don't crave applause. I'm not one of those guys who comes alive on stage. I'm much more alive at home, I think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bowie/i-don-t-crave-applause-i-m-not-one-of-those-guys-who-comes-alive-on/) [David Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bowie/) > [We must master our egoism, and through this mastery, step outside ourselves and educate ourselves in giving. Fasting requires that we rediscover all that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/we-must-master-our-egoism-and-through-this-mastery-step-outside/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [I can't say that there are 'things' that make me come alive. There are thoughts that make me come alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/i-can-t-say-that-there-are-things-that-make-me-come-alive-there-are/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [We're like the wicked witch. We promise gingerbread, then eat the little brats alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/we-re-like-the-wicked-witch-we-promise-gingerbread-then-eat-the/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [If Jovan Belcher didn't possess a gun, he and Kasandra Perkins would both be alive today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-costas/if-jovan-belcher-didn-t-possess-a-gun-he-and-kasandra-perkins-would/) [Bob Costas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-costas/) > [Peace is an ongoing process. It begins with the first step and it does not end. We, all of us alive today, are the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-krieger/peace-is-an-ongoing-process-it-begins-with-the-first-step-and-it-does/) [David Krieger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-krieger/) > [I think adoption becomes complicated whenever the biological parents are alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-haven/i-think-adoption-becomes-complicated-whenever-the-biological-parents/) [James Haven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-haven/) > [The pain of love is the pain of being alive. It is a perpetual wound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-duffy/the-pain-of-love-is-the-pain-of-being-alive-it-is-a-perpetual-wound/) [Maureen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-duffy/) > [I have tried to resign myself, and to console myself; and that, I hope, I may have done imperfectly; but what I cannot firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-have-tried-to-resign-myself-and-to-console-myself-and-that-i-hope-i/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [If Melanchthon were alive today, he might not weep because of controversies that surround the Lord's Supper, but he might well sorrow because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erwin-w-lutzer/if-melanchthon-were-alive-today-he-might-not-weep-because-of/) [Erwin W. Lutzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erwin-w-lutzer/) > [If you’re alive, don’t move, if you’re dead, don’t worry about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/if-you-re-alive-don-t-move-if-you-re-dead-don-t-worry-about-it/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [Here Greek and Roman find themselves alive along these crowded shelves; and Shakespeare treads again his stage, and Chaucer paints anew his age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/here-greek-and-roman-find-themselves-alive-along-these-crowded/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [You're alive!" Fezzik cried. The man in black sat immobile, like a ventriloquist's dummy, just his mouth moving. "That is perhaps the most childishly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-goldman/you-re-alive-fezzik-cried-the-man-in-black-sat-immobile-like-a/) [William Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-goldman/) [Browse all 7,282 Alive quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "For any writer who wants to keep a journal, be alive to everything, not just to what you're feeling, but also to your pets, to flowers, to what you're reading.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "May Sarton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/for-any-writer-who-wants-to-keep-a-journal-be-alive-to-everything-not/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Alive" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/for-any-writer-who-wants-to-keep-a-journal-be-alive-to-everything-not/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e32/may-sarton-897_alive_for-any-writer-who-wants-to-keep-a-journ_2596233.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e32/may-sarton-897_alive_for-any-writer-who-wants-to-keep-a-journ_2596233.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e32/may-sarton-897_alive_for-any-writer-who-wants-to-keep-a-journ_2596233.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“For any writer who wants to keep a journal, be alive to everything, not just to what you're feeling, but…” — May Sarton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "May Sarton", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "For any writer who wants to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/for-any-writer-who-wants-to-keep-a-journal-be-alive-to-everything-not/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/for-any-writer-who-wants-to-keep-a-journal-be-alive-to-everything-not/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```