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I work every morning, all morning, sometimes in the afternoons. Then sometimes I hunt in the afternoons - quail, doves, grouse up north - but just to stay alive, because writers die from their lifestyle but also from their lack of movement.
Jim Harrison
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote emphasizes the importance of both hard work and physical activity in the life of a writer.

Jim Harrison reflects on the balance between the dedicated work of writing and the necessity of physical movement. He highlights that while writing is a sedentary lifestyle that can lead to decline, engaging in activities like hunting provides not only sustenance but also a way to counteract the potential negative effects of a stagnant routine. This balance is crucial for maintaining both mental and physical health.

Themes

WritingMovementHealthBalanceLifestyle

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be shared at a writers' retreat to inspire participants to take breaks and engage in physical activities.

More from Jim Harrison

I think the trouble with artists or chefs who whine about criticism is that if you love the good reviews, you have to at least read the bad ones.
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How wonderful it was to love something without the compromise of language.
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The only advice I can give to aspiring writers is don't do it unless you're willing to give your whole life to it. Red wine and garlic also helps.
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We are delightfully trapped by our memories. I can't drink a bottle of Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieux Telegraphe without revisiting a hotel bistro in Luzerne, Switzerland, where I ate a large bowl of a peppery Basque baby goat stew. A sip and a bite. A bite and sip. Goose bumps come with the divine conjunction of food and wine.
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Fiction writers tend to err either making people more than they are or less than they are. I'd rather err on the side of the former.
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Some people hear their own inner voices with great clearness. And they live by what they hear. Such people become crazy... or they become legend.
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