Writings on Writing: 1,200 Memorable Quotations from Authors on Their Craft

More than 900 writers -- from Shakespeare to Stephen King -- give insight into their solitary art in this intriguing book. Spanning centuries and genres, the book provides a window to how writers "see" what they do and about the process of writing and the reasons behind it. They applaud, condemn, and ponder the state of autobiographies, journalism, literature, poetry, language, and words. Quotes have been culled from the writers' works, interviews, newspapers, essays, letters, and more. The book is divided into themed sections, each alphabetized by author. They include quotations on Autobiography/Biography; Books; Journalism/Press; Language; Literature; Poets and Poetry; Prefaces, Quotations, Other; Words; Writers; and Writing. Here's a sampling:

On Writing:
"I like everything there is about being a writer except the way my neighbors treat me." -- Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., interview in the New Fiction, 1974.

On Language:
"There are no handles upon a language whereby men take hold of it."--Carl Sandburg, Chicago Poems, 1916

On Books:
"Books, I fancy, may be conveniently divided into three classes: l. Books to read...2. Books to reread...3. Books not to read at all...The third class is by far the most important.--Oscar Wilde, Pall Mall Gazette, February 8, 1886.

On Words:
"Polonius: What do you read my Lord? Hamlet: Words, words, words."--Shakespeare, Hamlet, II, ii.

Whether used for reference or pure enjoyment, this book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in writers and writing. Includes helpful name and subject indexes.