Seven Writing Quotes

Three reasons Similes can be a source of pleasure

by Teresa Gomes (Adapted from: Manual of Composition and Rhetoric (1876) by John S Hart)

• The mere fact of pointing out a likeness between two things can be fun.

• They make the thing being compared plainer and better understood which creates a stronger impression on the mind which can be pleasing.

• By skilful use of a simile, the main object may be embellished and made more agreeable by being associated with something superior, splendid, graceful, refined, grand or dignified.

Seven Similes found online:

(Depending on how you look at them, some or all of these can be a 'source of pleasure')

• Being a writer is like having homework every night for the rest of your life. ~Lawrence Kasdan

• Being a writer is like being a spy (but without the guns and stuff like that). You look like just a regular person, staggering onto the bus with your shopping, but you're not. You're always watching and listening. ~Dyan Sheldon

• A writer is like an absent-minded professor; totally into his own thing and oblivious to the real world. ~Diane E Robertson

• Being a writer is like being a cop; you're always one, even off duty. ~John Lutz

• No writer can manage all his affairs. After a time being a writer is like running a small business. One must keep in touch with what is happening but one should not go rushing around doing deals for himself, for he won't have time for anything else. ~V S Naipaul
  

• Being a writer is like being a psychoanalyst, but you don't get any patients. ~Al Alvarez

• Being a writer is like being an individual proprietor or a taxi driver: You don't like the way I do things, get out of my shop. ~Peter Carey
  

Contest Rules:

• Create a simile that completes these words: 'a writer is like...' . The best entry received will win a copy of  Advice to Writers.

• You can submit as many entries as you want in one or separate emails before 11 December, 2009.

• For future reference, a list of seven finalists will be published here.
  

• Each submission can be one to three sentences which can be as short or as long as you like. 

• Jon Winokur will mail a personalized signed copy to the winner.

• No correspondence will be entered into and the judge's decision will be final.

• We reserve the right to change and/or update the rules at any time.
  

And thanks for taking part!

Teresa Gomes

Reminder: If you do want timeless writing advice from the most respected authors, please see Jon Winokur's Advice to Writers (227 pages, 2000) or Writers on Writing (188 pages, 1990). 

WINNER: 

"Being a writer is like standing naked in the High Street hoping people won't find you ridiculous." Graham Storrs

Congratulations Graham! You've won a copy of Advice to Writers by Jon Winokur. Please enjoy!

(Click here for Graham Storrs' blog where he discusses his win.)

The Seven Finalists: 

"Being a writer is like having loud upstairs neighbors who insist on playing their music at all hours of the day and night, only you can't tell them to be quiet because they live inside your head." Catherine Lavoie

“Being a writer is like getting paid to daydream.” Troy

“Being a writer is like breathing. The more you think about it, the harder it is to do.” Wendy Dager

“Being a writer is like having an ever increasing community of imaginary friends (or fiends).” Veronica Leonard

“Being a writer is like wearing your heart and your soul on your sleeve.” Jolene

“Being a writer is like being an archaeologist; you must often dig for a long time before uncovering what you are looking for.” Alex Makar

“A writer is like a courageous investor sending out cheques worth their entire life, despite not knowing whether they will ever be reimbursed for their investments.” Florence Au-Yeung

Congratulations to the seven finalists and thank you to all the generous entrants who entered the contest. (We received a total of 76 similes.) Hope you enjoyed it. It was meant to be a little bit of fun with a free book for one.  

And thank you to Jon Winokur  for offering the winner a free copy of your wonderful, wonderful book. Your generosity is appreciated very much.

Useful Links:

• Some Quotations from 'Advice to Writers'

• The Writers Store (for 'Advice to Writers') 

• Follow Jon Winokur (@AdviceToWriters) on Twitter

• AMAZON Books (for 'Advice to Writers')

• Follow Me (@Quotes4Writers) on Twitter

• Manual of Composition and Rhetoric (1876) by John S Hart