Dry, dry, dry, dry, dry...

I know, I'm a total outcast. It's the truth though.

Life has been a series of dry spells for me. There seems to be no excitement, no joy, no real connection with the world around me.

I feel like I'm on the outside looking in, watching everyone else have these wonderful experiences while I'm left with nothing but this never-ending dryness.

Maybe it's my fault. Maybe I'm not doing enough to reach out and embrace life. But it's so hard when everything just feels so dry and lifeless.

I long for something, anything, to break this cycle and bring some moisture and vitality back into my existence.

Until then, I'll just continue to be this outcast, living in a world that feels so dry and empty.

Some of those chapters lack conciseness.

Her thoughts are not always lucid, with spots of confusion.

There are dull paragraphs that seem to drag on, but then suddenly, a glimmer of light breaks through.

For example, there is a sentence like: "Great fiction, we very much fear, abounds in what makes for confusion; it generates it, being on a scale which copies life, which it confronts." (Welty 78).

This sentence stands out among the otherwise lackluster text, adding a touch of depth and complexity.

It makes the reader stop and think about the nature of great fiction and how it can both mirror and create confusion.

Perhaps the author included such a sentence to jolt the reader out of their complacency and force them to engage more deeply with the material.

Overall, while some parts of the writing may be in need of improvement, there are still moments of brilliance that make it worth reading.

This little book is truly brimming with wisdom. It has deepened my appreciation for the art of fiction writing. Just like all art forms, fiction is a kind of lie that enables us to fathom the truth. Writers such as Welty possess a sharp sense of place, time, plot, and human character. Their vivid caricatures and settings depict the paradoxes and complications of our existence from their unique perspectives. These perspectives are often enhanced by a strong sense of humor, irony, and other mitigating qualities that temper a reality that might seem harsh or unjust to those with a narrower mindset. It is truly a privilege to learn from her.

I don't typically have a penchant for stream of consciousness writing, but she managed to persuade me to give Faulkner another shot.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from the book:

--"So this story, instead of being a simple situation, is an impression of a situation, and tells more for being so." pg. 6

--"Writers must always write best of what they know, and sometimes they do it by staying where they know it... The open mind and the receptive heart--which are at last and with fortune's smile the informed mind and the experienced heart--are to be gained anywhere, any time, without necessarily moving an inch from any present address." pp. 55-56

--"Security is mortal's chiefest enemy" (from Macbeth) pg. 56

--"The challenge to writer's today... is not to disown any part of our heritage." pg. 56

--"There is absolutely everything in great fiction but a clear answer. Humanity itself seems to matter more to the novelist than what humanity thinks it can prove." pg. 78

--"Memory believes before knowing remembers." pg. 103 (from Faulkner)

--"To me, no man is himself, he is the sum of his past. There is no such thing really as was, because the past is. It is a part of every man, every woman, and every moment. All of his and her ancestry, background, is all a part of himself and herself at any moment. And so a man, a character in a story at any moment in action, is not just himself as he is then, he is all that made him." pg. 104 (from Faulkner)

These quotes offer profound insights into the world of writing and the human experience. They serve as a source of inspiration and guidance for aspiring writers and lovers of literature alike.

Here are some great musings about writing that really got me thinking about my own work and how I can improve it. There are several thought-provoking quotes that stand out. For instance, "feelings are bound up in place." This emphasizes the importance of setting in evoking emotions. Another one is "this makes it the business of writing, and the responsibility of the writer, to disentangle the significant - in character, incident, setting, mood, everything - from the random and meaningless and irrelevant that in real life surround and beset it." It highlights the writer's task of distilling the essence from the chaos of real life. The quote "the mystery lies in the use of language to express human life" points to the power and magic of words in capturing the essence of our existence. Finally, "indifference would indeed be corrupting to the fiction writer, indifference to any part of man’s plight. Passion is the chief ingredient of good fiction" reminds us that passion and empathy are crucial for creating engaging and meaningful fiction.

A little slow and old fashioned but proper for sure.

This description might apply to various things in our lives. It could refer to a person's做事方式, perhaps someone who takes their time and adheres to traditional methods. While this may seem a bit outdated in today's fast-paced world, there is a certain charm and reliability to it.

For example, an old-fashioned store that still uses a cash register instead of a modern point-of-sale system. It might be slower to process transactions, but it gives the customer a sense of authenticity and nostalgia.

Or maybe it's a classic car that doesn't have all the latest technological features. It may not be as fast or efficient as a new model, but it has a unique style and character that can't be replicated.

In a world where everything seems to be changing so quickly, it's nice to have a few things that remain a little slow and old fashioned. They remind us of a simpler time and add a touch of elegance and propriety to our lives.

"Via Bookriot" is a great platform that offers a wealth of information and insights for book lovers.

It provides reviews of the latest releases, recommendations based on different genres and interests, and interviews with authors.

Readers can discover new books to add to their reading lists and get a better understanding of the literary world.

The articles on Bookriot are well-written and engaging, making it a pleasure to read.

Whether you're a casual reader or a die-hard bookworm, "Via Bookriot" has something for everyone.

It's a valuable resource that helps connect readers with the books they'll love and keeps them informed about the latest trends in the literary scene.

So, if you're looking for a great place to find your next read or just want to stay up-to-date with all things books, be sure to check out "Via Bookriot".

Lots of wisdom on writing can be found in these essays, which span a significant portion of her career, from 1949 to 1974.
One particularly unique aspect of an essay was her vivid description of visiting Mammoth Cave in Kentucky and the personal revelations she had during that experience.
Her perspective on writing as a political or moral crusade, as well as her analysis of other writers' works, remain relevant decades after they were written. She also delves into the responsibilities and judgments she bears as a Southern writer.
Hands down, my favorite quote was: "Indeed, learning to write may be a part of learning to read. For all I know, writing comes out of a superior devotion to reading."
Indeed, Ms. Welty, indeed! Her words truly resonate and offer valuable insights into the world of writing.

Read for the PopSugar Challenge 2019



This is a quite good and inspiring book. It references numerous short stories and novels to clearly convey its point. The author even includes some of her own works. Themes, plot, character, space, time, morals, and criticism are all addressed in concise and accessible essays. Ever since I began reading this book, I have been on a writing spree, attempting to follow her suggestions. As I am not yet proficient in short story writing, it was somewhat effective. However, it cannot replace practice. Additionally, it served as a great introduction to Welty's work herself.

This book offers valuable insights and practical advice for aspiring writers. The examples from different literary works help to illustrate the concepts clearly. By following the author's suggestions, I was able to gain a better understanding of the elements that make a good short story. Although the book cannot substitute for hands-on practice, it provides a solid foundation and inspiration for further development. It is definitely a worthwhile read for anyone interested in writing or exploring the world of literature.

Eudora Welty is widely regarded as one of the most杰出的 short story writers of the 20th century. Her works are not only a testament to her literary talent but also a source of inspiration for aspiring writers. In her writing, Welty offers a magnificent guide that delves deep into the art of storytelling.

Her stories are known for their rich characters, vivid descriptions, and profound insights into the human condition. Through her words, she brings to life the unique cultures and traditions of the American South, where she was born and raised. Welty's writing style is characterized by her use of细腻的 language, careful pacing, and masterful manipulation of plot and theme.

By reading her works, we can learn not only about the craft of writing but also about the author herself. Her stories reveal her deep understanding of人性, her love for her家乡, and her敏锐的观察力 of the world around her. In short, Eudora Welty's writing is a treasure trove of wisdom and inspiration that continues to captivate readers and writers alike.

This slim book, consisting of only 100 pages, requires time and effort to fully absorb.

Described as 'chapters' on the book flap, a more precise description for these seven pieces written over several decades (ranging from 1949 to 1974) would be articles, essays, or perhaps even reflections.

Welty includes numerous references to her favorite authors, with Falkner being one of them, using their work as examples.

Some parts of each piece were a bit too deep for my understanding. I found myself reading and re-reading, pondering over the words and noting down numerous story titles to look up later.

Coincidentally, I had just picked up The Collected Stories of Eudora Welty, which was on display at the library. This fat volume will provide me with the opportunity to read her work and observe how it reflects her comments in "On Writing".

I am eager to explore her stories and gain a deeper appreciation for her writing style and the insights she shares in this slim but thought-provoking book.

Ok, this is so creepy. I just completed a language essay on an excerpt from this book, and now it shows up in my recommended. It's really strange.

Is Goodreads watching me? It seems a bit too coincidental. I wonder if there is some sort of algorithm or tracking mechanism at play.

Maybe they are analyzing my reading history and interests to provide personalized recommendations. But still, it gives me an uneasy feeling.

I hope they are not invading my privacy in any way. It makes me question the security and ethics of these online platforms.

On one hand, personalized recommendations can be useful, but on the other hand, I also value my privacy.

It's a tricky balance, and I'm not sure if Goodreads is getting it right.

Maybe I should be more cautious about what I do and say on these platforms.

Overall, this experience has left me a bit unsettled and makes me think twice about using Goodreads in the future.

Three stars of encouragement. I didn't understand anything at all, and the little that I did understand didn't really convince me that much. It seems that there is still a lot of room for improvement. Maybe the content was too complex or not presented in a clear enough way. However, I do appreciate the effort that was put into it. I hope that in the future, more attention will be paid to making the message more accessible and engaging. This way, it will be able to have a greater impact on the readers and truly encourage them. Overall, it's a start, but there is definitely room for growth and refinement.