Carol Bly Quotes
An essay is a work of literary art which has a minimum of one anecdote and one universal idea.
The more original a short-story writer, the odder looking the assortment of things he or she puts together for a story.
Literature has low enough standards. But we can avoid writing the worst literature if we make ourselves ask ourselves, every two or three sentences we write, 'Is that what I really think?'
No work of literature is the product of only one or two conscious ideas. A story is mysteriously dense of meaning.
The secret of literature, which conventional people don't guess, is that writers are forever looking for the surprising revelation - not for reinforcement of collective wisdom.
For a short-story writer, a story is the combination of what the writer supposed the story would likely be about - plus what actually turned up in the course of writing.
Apprenticeship is one of the dearest roles of childhood, not just watching Dad or Mother, but being taught a hands-on trade.
Emily was feeling the elation of conscientious hosts when they can temporarily escape a ubiquitous houseguest.
No one is shallow and vulgar forever; sooner or later the whole species likes to be profound.
