Thursday 19 September 2013

Nadine's Advice


I read the following snippet from Nadine Gordimer. Let me be frank and tell you that I have NEVER read Nadine's books. Largely because I don't read much fiction and largely because university smothered the love of anything South African - out of me. Sad but true.
On a lighter note however, I read this and thought I would share it. I agree with it wholeheartedly. No one can teach you how to write, no one can teach you how to feel - it's just natural. Writing for writers is as natural and as easy as breathing, there's nothing learnt in it; it's second nature.... and it's a continual experiment and dont let anyone else tell you otherwise! Flow with the pen and be free!

Read and write. Don’t go to creative writing class. You can’t be taught to write. You can be taught to be a good journalist, but you cannot be taught to be a poet or a novelist. You read, read, read so that you become aware of the power and the range of the word — and then you want to do your own little experiment.”

2 comments:

  1. I absolutely LOVE this advice! Thank you for sharing it.

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  2. pleasure - it is so true isn't it!!

    ReplyDelete