“…Writing and reading are both gifts, neither of which has meaning without the other.” Creative reading (“bring[ing] all of your life” to what you read) “…can take a modest pearl and set it off by its own experience in such a way that it will give off a luster never imagined by the oyster/writer working away between his shells in the darkness. The reader will say humbly to the writer: What a beautiful pearl you made! And I hope the writer will be honest enough to know that she has been twice blessed — once with the gift of the pearl and again with the gift of a reader who could receive and cherish what was, after all, simply a natural response to a pain in the stomach.” -Katherine Paterson, A SENSE OF WONDER: ON READING AND WRITING BOOKS FOR CHILDREN
What a wonderful quote. A book is a treasure. A great story has gotten me through many hard times in life.
I need to buy a copy of that book! 🙂
Beautiful quote. Katherine Paterson is amazing. When I read her books I’m humbled by her brilliance. I think I’d have to say that one of my many writer dreams is that one day I will write a book that inspires/encourages a child the way her books have for countless others.
Jenny, I am so there with you. The way she honors childhood and the respect she has for children just pours out of her work. She is everything I hope to be.
I love Katherine Paterson. Her books made me crave to write.
Love this quote! Thank you for sharing it. 🙂
What a fantastic quote, Caroline! So glad you’re good at digging up these treasures and bringing them to light for the rest of us.
Twice blessed, indeed.
I need this book!!!!!
So worth getting!