There are dozens of young poets and fictioneers most of them a little insane in the tradition of James Joyce, who, however insane they may be, have refused to be genteel and traditional and dull.
Interpretation
The quote celebrates the unconventional creativity of young poets and writers who challenge traditional norms.
Sinclair Lewis highlights the vibrant spirit of young poets and fiction writers who, despite their eccentricities, reject the boundaries of genteel and conventional storytelling. He admires their courage to embrace insanity and originality, emphasizing that true artistry often thrives outside the confines of societal expectations, as exemplified by the legacy of writers like James Joyce.
In practice
This quote could be used at a writing workshop to encourage participants to embrace their unique style.
Upon this theology he rarely pondered. The kernel of his practical religion was that it was respectable, and beneficial to one's business, to be seen going to services; that the church kept the Worst Elements from being still worse; and that the pastor's sermons, however dull they might seem at the time of taking, yet had a voodooistic power which 'did a fellow good-- kept him in touch with Higher Things.
Intellectually I know that America is no better than any other country; emotionally I know she is better than every other country.
Writers kid themselves-about themselves and other people. Take the talk about writing methods. Writing is just work-there's no secret. If you dictate or use a pen or type with your toes-it is just work.
She did her work with the thoroughness of a mind which reveres details and never quite understands them.
Writing is just work-there's no secret. If you dictate or use a pen or type or write with your toes-it's still just work.
It is, I think, an error to believe that there is any need of religion to make life seem worth living.
To write something, you have to risk making a fool of yourself.
My dear sister! Iβm amazed to discover that you can compose so delightfully. In a word, your Lied is beautiful. You must compose more often.
An artist is born like a priest is born. If they are born an artist, I would tell them art is not a game: it is something very serious which completely requires everything you have to give.
You want to say as little as you can and get the most punch out of it, always with the knowledge that people are not in the theater to listen to your music so much as to respond to the movie. You're a part of that experience.
Cooking is one of the oldest arts and one which has rendered us the most important service in civic life.
I wish I could write. I get these ideas but I never seem to be able to put them in words.
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