To shift the structure of a sentence alters the meaning of that sentence, as definitely and inflexibly as the position of a camera alters the meaning of the object photographed.
Joan DidionRead
In many ways, writing is the act of saying 'I,' of imposing oneself upon other people, of saying, 'Listen to me, see it my way, change your mind.' It's an aggressive, even a hostile act.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Writing is a personal expression that asserts the author's viewpoint and invites others to adopt it.
In this quote, Joan Didion highlights the assertive and sometimes confrontational nature of writing. She suggests that through writing, an author presents their personal perspective and engages others with the intention of persuasion, which can be seen as an act of assertion or even hostility towards differing views.
Themes
WritingExpressionPersuasionCommunicationAssertion
In practice
Example use cases
During a workshop on creative writing, this quote can be used to encourage participants to express their unique voices.
More from Joan Didion
All quotes →The truth is, it's easier for me to write than talk... to express the state I'm in at any time.
Joan DidionRead
Memories are what you no longer want to remember.
Joan DidionRead
It was clear, for example, in 1988 that the political process had already become perilously remote from the electorate it was meant to represent.
Joan DidionRead
I mean maybe I was holding all the aces, but what was the game?
Joan DidionRead
Do not whine... Do not complain. Work harder. Spend more time alone.
Joan DidionRead
Similar quotes
There are thousands of ragas, and they are all connected with different times of the day, like sunrise or night or sunset. It is all based on 72 of what we call 'mela' or scales. And we have principally nine moods, ranging from peacefulness to praying, or the feeling of emptiness you get by sitting by the ocean.
Ravi ShankarRead
I had to learn to do everything because I couldn't find another kindred soul. Now you see eighty people listed doing the same things I was doing by myself.
Ray HarryhausenRead
No poet, no artist of any art, has his complete meaning alone.
T. S. EliotRead
Most people do not believe in anything very much and our greatest poetry is given to us by those who do.
Cyril ConnollyRead
Black-and-whit e always looks modern, whatever that word means.
Karl LagerfeldRead
All writing is in fact cut-ups. A collage of words read heard overheard. What else?
William S. BurroughsRead