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Meaning
The quote suggests that a writer is shaped more by reading than by direct experience of the world. It also says writers should pay attention to what they read, because it influences what they later create. In other words, reading becomes part of the material of writing.
When It Was Said
Not documented yet.
Who It Was Said To
Not documented yet.
Historical Context
Not documented yet.
Source
The Abundance (2016)
Original Language & Translation
Originally said in English.
Did They Really Say It?
The phrase appears in the book "The Abundance (2016)" by Annie Dillard (Google Books snippet); no earlier source was checked.
Did You Know?
Not documented yet.
About Annie Dillard
American author
Annie Dillard is an American author known for narrative prose in fiction and nonfiction. She published poetry, essays, prose, literary criticism, two novels, and one memoir. Her 1974 book Pilgrim at Tinker Creek won the 1975 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction. From 1980, she taught for 21 years in the English department of Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut.
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Writing: more sayings
- “I never learned to be a writer. I never took screenwriting courses. I never read anyone's scripts. As a write…”Derek Cianfrance
- “The best thing about being a writer is that 'work' is always something you love, plus usually accompanied by…”Jamie L. Harding
- “By mastering character and plot, you give your book a fighting chance and withoutcharacter and plot, no book…”Craig Hart
More Books quotes
READ THE SOURCE
Books by Annie Dillard
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek
1990
The writing life
1998
The Maytrees CD
2007
Teaching a Stone to Talk
1982
For the Time Being
1999