Most of What I Needed to Know About Writing I Learned from Mark Twain

Most of What I Needed to Know About Writing I Learned From Mark Twain

Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, was one of the most notable writers of our time. A true Renaissance man, he was recognized by both his peers and critics for his insightful, humorous and satirical outlook on life. Nearly a century after his death, his wit and wisdom live on through his writings and sayings.

The Father of American Literature

Referred to as "the father of American Literature" by William Faulkner, Twain was a prolific writer of newspaper and magazine articles as well as many books. One can study his style by reading his various literary works.

However, if you're short on time but long for superlative writing skills, you will undoubtedly learn about writing and about Twain, himself, by reading some of his famous quotations. Many of these are well-known, others are not. All reflect Twain's "way with words".

On Originality and Opinion

"What a good thing Adam had. When he said a good thing he knew nobody had said it before."
We may not always be original; but, our interpretation can be unique.

"Our opinions do not really blossom into fruition until we have expressed them to someone else."
That's why we're all writing for Associated Content!

"I am not one of those who in expressing opinions, confine themselves to fact."
Embellishment of narrative is a trademark of many writers.

On Reading

"The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them."
A steady diet of reading sensational tabloids is like eating potato chips and cookies all day. It may be nice for awhile; but, eventually you'll get a heavy feeling in your stomach.

"A classic is something that everybody wants to have read and nobody wants to read."
It IS easier, however, to read the tabloids and gossip magazines.

On Writing

"The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightening and a lightening bug."
Thank goodness for the dictionary and thesaurus!

"No one can write perfect English and keep it up through a stretch of ten chapters. It has never been done."
That's a relief!

"Anybody can have ideas-the difficulty is to express them without squandering a quire of paper on an idea that ought to be reduced to one glittering paragraph."
Nothing more I can add to that.

On Types of Literature

"The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter."
A humorous article can help you to temporarily forget your problems.

"Habit is habit and not to be flung out the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time."
I hope that people who write self-help books will read this quote.

"It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech."
Thoughtful writing takes time.

"Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint."
Don't take everything literally.

On Life

"If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything."

"Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest."

"When you cannot get a compliment any other way pay yourself one."

On Halley's Comet

"I came in with Halley's Comet in 1835. It is coming again next year, and I expect to go out with it. It will be the greatest disappointment of my life if I don't go out with Halley's Comet. The Almighty has said, no doubt: "Now here are these two unaccountable freaks; they came in together, they must go out together."

Mark Twain died on April 21, 1910, the day after the reappearance of the comet.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain

www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Mark_Twain/

www.twainquotes.com