On Writing
The pages are still blank, but there is a miraculous feeling of the words being there, written in invisible ink and clamoring to become visible.
– Vladimir Nabakov
The pages are still blank, but there is a miraculous feeling of the words being there, written in invisible ink and clamoring to become visible.
– Vladimir Nabakov
Yes, that feeling is real, isn’t it? Great quote, thanks for sharing ;-)
Wow, LOVE this, Caroline! The words are clamoring, but I’ve been a demon about keeping them invisible. ;-)
:) This is definitely a keeper.
What a great quote! I always consciously think of the blank page as my enemy, but this Nabakov is right: inside myself I stare at that blank page because I know there is something great there, if only I could find it.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Great quote. I have focused on revising so much that I haven’t looked at a blank page in a long time. I have to admit I’m a bit nervous. This gives me a different perspective.
Blank pages intimidate me, too. Remembering that words are waiting to come (even though they might not be the words I stick with) helps me see writing as play or an experiment rather than one shot to say something profound.
There’s something so comforting about hearing writers’ own struggles. And I think you’re right–we don’t have just one shot. I always think of what I’m writing as a sort of placeholder for the thing I mean to say, which will somehow make it onto the page later, probably when I’m not looking.
Rebecca: yes, exactly!
Those blank pages! Sometimes I just keep them blank because my invisible words are just so pretty.
Yes! This is the best part about drafting. Putting that black ink on the page.
OMGosh! I LOVE LOVE LOVE that quote. Think I need to use it!