“The technology, architecture, and working practices of a railway system fascinated me from the outset—I can describe even today the peculiarities of the separate London Underground lines and their station layouts, the heritage of different private companies in their early years. But I was never a “trainspotter.” Even when I graduated to solitary travel on the extensive network of British Railways’ Southern Region I never joined the enthusiastic bands of anorak-clad preteenage boys at the end of platforms, assiduously noting down the numbers of the passing trains. This seemed to me the most asinine of static pursuits—the point of a train was to get on it.”
– Tony Judt, The Memory Chalet
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“Here is a truth to which all writers can attest: Readers are more interested in process than in product…
…No matter how well read the audience may be, when it comes to the Q&A, it is always the same. After a few polite interrogatory skirmishes for form’s sake come the only questions that matter to the reader.
”Do you write in longhand or on a computer?”
If longhand: ”Pencil, ballpoint or old-fashioned ink pen?”
If computer: ”PC or Mac? Which font do you prefer?”
– Steven Fry, WRITERS ON WRITING; Forget Ideas, Mr. Author. What Kind of Pen Do You Use?
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Some people fetishise the means rather than enjoying the ends.
A book is designed to be read, not collected.
Things that are used have purpose.
Our energy should be focused on the doing rather than the looking.
Look is an empty word. It suggest no purpose. To look is emotionless and uncommitted. Read, however, has rich associations. It is observing and listening.
The most fascinating process should be our own. Because it’s based on practice rather than theory.
I love to find out how writers write. But the more I write, the less in thrall I am of other’s processes. No one can do my writing for me, so I try to focus on doing that, rather than following the suggestions of a complete stranger.
After all, things are meant to be experienced not notarised.
Conversations With Quotations 