on reading - carlos ruiz zafon

Once, in my father's bookshop, I heard a regular customer say that
few things leave a deeper mark on a reader than the first book that
finds its way into his heart. Those first images, the echo of words
we think we have left behind, accompany us throughout our lives
and sculpt a palace in our memory to which, sooner or later—no
matter how many books we read, how many worlds we discover,
or how much we learn or forget—we will return.

- Carlos Ruiz Zafón, The Shadow of the Wind

the well written - john fowles

Between skin and skin, there is only light.

- John Fowles, The Magus

By Cathryn Boch

on writing - 5 do-nots

Five Things Not To Do When Writing a Book by Brian Klems

1. Do Not Tell Anyone The Plot of Your Book
When you’re writing a book, occasionally someone — like a
family member, friend or that loaded guy sitting next to you at the
bar — will con you into talking about your book while you’re
writing it. Wrong move. They will offer unsolicited pieces of
advice.  Best to stay hush-hush about it until it’s finished and you
can have it edited or work-shopped by other writers.

2. Do Not Get Attached to Any Part of Your Book
As writers, we often fall in love with our own writing and plot
points. This happens to me all the time. I write an awesome first
paragraph and continue writing a chapter. As I go along, it’s clear
that the chapter has taken a decidedly different turn and that first
paragraph doesn’t quite fit. But I love that first paragraph. So I
spend countless hours rewriting the rest of the chapter, even
though deep down I know the only real solution is to cut that first
paragraph.  It’s brutally painful, but not cutting it is a mistake
rookie writers make.

illustration - kristin kwan

Kristin's imagination and illustrative skill combine to create
wonders such as these.  Characters, snapshots of surreal situations,
moments that leave the onlooker yearning for more.  In her own
 words, "When I was two and a half I drew my first picture, a
(rather snarled) robin; and my paintings are still filled with birds,
and other beasts too, who act out little dramas and mysterious
tableaus."  Mysterious tableaus.  Love it.  Have a look...

a dreamer's wisdom - martha graham

There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is
translated through you into action, and because there is only one
of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it,
it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost.

- Martha Graham