A writer of real taste will take great pains, in the perfection of his style, to make the reader believe that he took none at all. The writing which appears to be most easy, will be generally found to be least imitable. The most elegant verses are the most easily retained, they fasten themselves on the memory, without its making any effort to preserve them, and we are apt to imagine that what is remembered with ease was written without difficulty.
- Hannah More, 1834
That's the trick alright.... :O)
ReplyDeleteWonderful quote, Carla! You always come up with the best of the best. I've always found beautiful prose so appealing as it's like beautiful music. I'm about to read Chris Fabry's newest book as I hear he writes so very beautifully. The cover alone makes me sigh:)
ReplyDeleteOoohhh, Great quote, Carla! The best authors make it look effortless.
ReplyDeleteYes. That is it in a nutshell. And I am struggling with it. Rewriting, editing, while still keeping that natural flow. It's painful. But I have copied your quote and will try to stay the course.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Great quote. Effortless comes after the planning, preparation, writing and revisions ;)
ReplyDeleteNow if only I could do that!!
ReplyDeleteLaura, thank you, and I always enjoy your quotes as well! I never heard of Chris Fabry, but I did just go over to his website to check him out and I agree. I can see why you sigh at the cover.
ReplyDeleteWith all the pains we must take in our writing it does seem like a miracle to have the end result appear effortless. I we can only strive to create prose as smooth flowing as a graceful river that would be a wonderful feat to achieve.
ReplyDelete