If one harbours anywhere in one's mind a nationalistic loyalty or hatred, certain facts, although in a sense known to be true, are inadmissible.
George OrwellRead
For a creative writer possession of the 'truth' is less important than emotional sincerity.
Interpretation
Emotional authenticity is more valuable than factual accuracy for a writer.
George Orwell emphasizes that for creative writers, the emotional truth of their writing carries more weight than simply adhering to factual truth. This highlights the importance of conveying feelings and connections in storytelling, suggesting that sincere expression can resonate more deeply with readers than a strict presentation of reality.
In practice
This quote can inspire a group of aspiring writers during a creative workshop.
If one harbours anywhere in one's mind a nationalistic loyalty or hatred, certain facts, although in a sense known to be true, are inadmissible.
The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.
Political writing in our time consists almost entirely of prefabricated phrases bolted together like the pieces of a child's Meccano set. It is the unavoidable result of self-censorship. To write in plain, vigorous language one has to think fearlessly, and if one thinks fearlessly one cannot be politically orthodox.
Not to expose your true feelings to an adult seems to be instinctive from the age of seven or eight onwards.
As with the Christian religion, the worst advertisement for Socialism is its adherents.
It is fatal to look hungry. It makes people want to kick you.
The non-artists among us are always terribly busy, but finally disappear without a trace.
Genius creates, and taste preserves. Taste is the good sense of genius; without taste, genius is only sublime folly.
I mean, every novel's a historical novel anyway. But calling something a historical novel seems to put mittens on it, right? It puts manners on it. And you don't want your novels to be mannered.
Acting is an everlasting search for truth.
Immature poets imitate; mature poets steal; bad poets deface what they take, and good poets make it into something better, or at least something different.
Theatre has to be theatrical. It has to draw attention to itself, like poetry.
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