The Quotable Writer: Words of Wisdom from Mark Twain, Aristotle, Oscar Wilde, Robert Frost, Eric Jong, and More (Hardcover)

~ William A. Gordon (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Rare is the writer who does not have a quotation tacked up above his or her desk. Sometimes it is inspiration that a writer seeks, sometimes cajoling. At times, one needs a bit of humor; at other times, advice. "Writing is the worst part of being a writer," quips James Atlas. "We have the power to bore people long after we are dead," muses Sinclair Lewis. "Don't try to save junk just because it took you a long time to write it," warns David Eddings.

These snippets, culled from other writers' experience, provide company for the solitary scribe. Yes, you are alone, they seem to say, but, no, you are not really alone. Well, William A. Gordon's office must hum like a cocktail party. I mean, the guy must buy thumbtacks by the case. Gathered here are the 1,000 most "memorable, thought-provoking, humorous, and/or important quotations from Gordon's collection, arranged into more than 50 categories, including "critics," "humor," "inspiration," and "self-publishing." The Quotable Writer is sure to provide hours of entertainment. That is, unless you choose to heed Lillian Hellman, quoted by Gordon: "If I had to give young writers advice," she told The New York Times in 1960, "I'd say, don't listen to writers talking about writing." --Jane Steinberg

Review

"The Quotable Writer: Words of Wisdom From Mark Twain, Aristotle, Oscar Wilde, Robert Frost, Erica Jong, and More" (McGraw-Hill; $14.95).

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 186 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies (March 3, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071355766
• ISBN-13: 978-0071355766
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,945,719 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Content than Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul!, November 30, 2000

By	Steve Nakamoto "The Friendly Voice of the... (Huntington Beach, California USA) - See all my reviews

William Gordon did a fabulous job compiling this gem of a collection. This is a "must" for any writer for both inspiration and information. I reach for it often in my struggle to write my second book. I appreciate the varied resources from all kinds of backgrounds (and different ages), but most of all, they are writers who have gone down the same path as I.

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bet you cant read just one, May 9, 2000

By	Dan Poynter "Author-Publisher-Speaker" (Santa Barbara, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Writers love words and Bill Gordon loves writers. Hehascompiledover 170 pages of categorized quotations from more than 600authors. This book is recommended to all writers, not just for yourown enjoyment but as a resource. When it is not on your nightstand, it will be within easy reach of your desk, next to your dictionary.