You don't have to make something that people call art. Living is an artistic activity, there is an art to getting through the day.
Viggo MortensenRead
In a way, editing is not unlike the movies. The best books, just like the best movies, are a collaboration. They're only as good as the compromise made between the artists involved.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Editing, like filmmaking, thrives on collaboration and compromise among artists.
In this quote, Viggo Mortensen compares the process of editing in literature to filmmaking, emphasizing that the quality of both arts is dependent on the collaborative efforts of the individuals involved. Just as successful movies are shaped by the collective decisions and compromises of their creators, so too are great books formed through the negotiation and interplay of ideas among writers and editors.
Themes
EditingCollaborationCompromiseArtBooksMovies
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used to introduce a workshop on collaborative writing.
More from Viggo Mortensen
All quotes →One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was from a horse master. He told me to go slow to go fast. I think that applies to everything in life. We live as though there aren't enough hours in the day but if we do each thing calmly and carefully we will get it done quicker and with much less stress.
Viggo MortensenRead
When I land in a country and they ask for 'occupation,' I always just put 'artist.' I think that covers all of it.
Viggo MortensenRead
As far as money goes, there's a saying in Denmark: 'Your last suit doesn't have any pockets.' You can't take it with you. You can make all the money you want, but who cares?
Viggo MortensenRead
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