Some Writing Advice from Annie Dillard

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Annie Dillard is one of my favorite writers. Her Pilgrim at Tinker Creek is a wonder of exuberant prose. If you’ve ever read anything by Dillard — especially her early stuff — you’ll agree that she lives by these words.

My only objection is what seems like false humility. Ms. Dillard certainly knows more than a “few things” about writing.

“One of the few things I know about writing is this: Spend it all, shoot it, play it, lose it, all, right away, every time. Do not hoard what seems good for a later place in the book, or for another book. Give it, give it all, give it now.” ~Annie Dillard

Care to discuss what she means by this? I’d love to talk about it in the comment section below!

About the Author

Brian WaskoBrian is the founder and president of WriteAtHome.com. One of his passions is to teach young people how to write better.View all posts by Brian Wasko

  1. Rhonda Barfield
    Rhonda Barfield08-13-2014

    Dillard is one of my husband’s all-time favorite writers, and this is one of his all-time favorite quotes about writing. Thanks for sharing.

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