I think the trouble with artists or chefs who whine about criticism is that if you love the good reviews, you have to at least read the bad ones.
Jim HarrisonRead
I work every morning, all morning, sometimes in the afternoons. Then sometimes I hunt in the afternoons - quail, doves, grouse up north - but just to stay alive, because writers die from their lifestyle but also from their lack of movement.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of both hard work and physical activity in the life of a writer.
Jim Harrison reflects on the balance between the dedicated work of writing and the necessity of physical movement. He highlights that while writing is a sedentary lifestyle that can lead to decline, engaging in activities like hunting provides not only sustenance but also a way to counteract the potential negative effects of a stagnant routine. This balance is crucial for maintaining both mental and physical health.
Themes
WritingMovementHealthBalanceLifestyle
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared at a writers' retreat to inspire participants to take breaks and engage in physical activities.
More from Jim Harrison
All quotes →How wonderful it was to love something without the compromise of language.
Jim HarrisonRead
The only advice I can give to aspiring writers is don't do it unless you're willing to give your whole life to it. Red wine and garlic also helps.
Jim HarrisonRead
We are delightfully trapped by our memories. I can't drink a bottle of Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieux Telegraphe without revisiting a hotel bistro in Luzerne, Switzerland, where I ate a large bowl of a peppery Basque baby goat stew. A sip and a bite. A bite and sip. Goose bumps come with the divine conjunction of food and wine.
Jim HarrisonRead
Fiction writers tend to err either making people more than they are or less than they are. I'd rather err on the side of the former.
Jim HarrisonRead
Some people hear their own inner voices with great clearness. And they live by what they hear. Such people become crazy... or they become legend.
Jim HarrisonRead
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