There are some people who have been reading me for years, and they keep saying kind things about the writing. That's what you're writing for, to get people to respond to it.
Elmore LeonardRead
This grant gave me more than memories; it gave me a crucial experience that is formative to all writers: the ability to perceive that we become writers in exile, where what we write is the only link across distance and time…I became a Maryland writer because the community of Juneau took me in.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the transformative power of community and experience in shaping a writer's identity.
In this quote, Paula Vogel reflects on how a granting experience not only provided her with cherished memories but also significantly influenced her development as a writer. She highlights the importance of feeling connected to a community, specifically in Juneau, which helped her understand that writers often exist in a state of exile, bridging gaps in distance and time through their words. This collective experience formed the foundation of her identity as a Maryland writer.
Themes
WritingCommunityExperienceIdentityExile
In practice
Example use cases
In a writing workshop, discussing how the community can shape a writer's work.
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