I heard a question posed this week that I’m not sure has been heard before: What kind of publisher publishes a book without telling the authors?
In some punctuarial realms, one might want to add a combination of exclamation points and additional question marks.
The answer, of course, is T.S. Poetry Press. And, of course, even a publisher so mischievous as T.S. Poetry wouldn’t do such a thing with every author, no. But with Ann Kroeker and Charity Singleton Craig, co-authors of the newly (surprise!) released On Being a Writer, a sort of non-book launch seemed the perfect approach. The book, the second in the Masters in Fine Living Series, invites writers beyond the flurry and frenzy of following the latest sure-fire way to reach instant success as a writer and to build a sustainable writing life that is satisfying in the long term.
To celebrate the book’s release—and invite you to explore such a writing life—here are ten great quotes from On Being a Writer by Kroeker and Craig.
1. “There comes a time when you feel like a writer. Maybe that moment is now.” —Ann Kroeker
2. “I become one of those people on whom nothing is lost.” —Ann Kroeker
3. “I choose to be a writer.” —Ann Kroeker
4. “I’m not waiting for the writing life to randomly bounce across my path.” —Ann Kroeker
5. “Finding that thing only I can write about is life-giving.” —Charity Singleton Craig
6. “I don’t know how else to break it to you: writing is hard.”—Charity Singleton Craig
7. “We are compelled to start for precisely the same reasons we find the writing hard.” —Charity Singleton Craig
8. “The struggle and the difficulty prove writing’s worth, not its vanity.” —Charity Singleton Craig
9. “Life is short. If I’m going to spend my time writing, I want to be skilled.” —Charity Singleton Craig
10. “Again and again, your time will come.” — Kroeker & Craig, On Being a Writer
Photos by Claire Burge.
Sure, share these pinnable images from our On Being a Writer Pinterest board
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Simply Darlene says
2, 8 & 10 my favs
And the last image? Hearts sweet with desire – to grow (& share, have & be) writerly voices that dive the depths of a soul.
Thanks for whetting the appetite for those of us on a book budget… 🙂
Maureen Doallas says
Great quotes beautifully presented.
Wishing Ann and Charity much success with their book.
Richard Maxson says
I like 2, 6, 9. Writing aside, to choose to live as one on whom nothing is lost is difficult in itself.
On the wall next to my desk are lines from Tracy K. Smith’s “The Largeness We Can’t See”
All that we see grows
Into the ground. And all that we live blind to
Leans its deathless heft to our ears
and sings
***
I remind myself that there is also the smallness we can’t or don’t often see. So there is a lot around us to not waste, to ponder, and to write about.
I can’t wait to get the book, if this is just the teaser.
L. L. Barkat says
“In some punctuarial realms, one might want to add a combination of exclamation points and additional question marks.”
Ha! 🙂
It’s a beautiful book. I am so happy with it.
SimplyDarlene says
I’m not sure if you’re talking to your own self or if someone else wrote this piece, but I’m okay with either one.
Will Willingham says
Heh, I think she was talking to me. 😉 But it’s good to be able to laugh at one’s own jokes, too. 🙂
Nancy Franson says
Awesome. Sauce.
But wait–don’t TSP Top Ten lists usually include at least eleven things?
Will Willingham says
Depends on how late at night the list comes together. 😉 (And I won’t say whether the lateness of the hour adds or subtracts from the list.)
Paul Willingham says
Punctuarial realms!!!!!?????!!!!
Dolly@Soulstops says
Can’t wait to get my copy 🙂
Lane M Arnold says
As the sun dips behind the mountains, I’m dipping into the mountain of goodness in this book. Savoring every word…like fine chocolate.
Carolyn says
Well done! I really appreciate these! Thank you!
Marcy says
Liked them all, wished I’d seen this before I selected all my gift card could buy yesterday but then Christmas is coming. I’ve started my first book, our beloved Bengal male cat Griffin died at just 19 months 3 weeks ago. Died of a heart attack in his Dad’s arms right in front of me. I’m writing about him because he was like this kid, this little boy. He left us both heartbroken and wasted in tears not gone.
rhetoricqueen says
I don’t see where Ann Kroeker has credited Henry James for the reference to being someone on whom nothing is lost. His quotation from The Art of Fiction is “Try to be one of those on whom nothing is lost.”
L. L. Barkat says
Totally great call, Rhetoric Queen.
Context is everything. 😉
https://twitter.com/EDayPoems/status/542431816217423872