Okay, John Stanford probably wasn't talking to writers when he revealed his secret to success.
He probably wasn't thinking about how to create unforgettable charcters, or how to make your screenplay leap to life, or how to take your non-fiction out of the dry world of the academy and directly into the hearts and minds of readers. But I, for one, have never heard better advice for making your prose, your poetry--and your life--sing.
"The secret to success is to always be in love. Staying in love gives you the fire to ignite other people, to see inside other people, to have a greater desire to get things done than other people."
John Stanford, Ex-Army Officer and Educator
Read more about this inspiring leader who died before he could complete all he hoped to do, but
challenges us to bring some of his generosity and spirit into our own work, whatever it may be.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Patry Francis, Books Correspondent:
Patry's column, Reading as a Writer, published bi-weekly to Gather Essentials: Books, alternating with Diary of a First Novelist.
To learn more about Patry and her debut novel, The Liar's Diary, visit her Website,
You can find all of Patry's articles, Diary of a First Novelist, and Reading as a Writer at www.gather.com/patryfrancis
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Comments: 69
"Without inspiration the best powers of the mind remain dormant, there is a fuel in us which needs to be ignited with sparks." Johann Gottfried Von Herder
Your flowers are very pretty! I didn't plant any this year, so I'm having to enjoy everyone elses.
Stanford was right--thanks for sharing that. I was once driving down the autobahn in Germany and heard an author on NPR (via AFN-radio)say, "Never write when you're in love."
I screamed at my radio all the way back to Ramstein! I'm afraid I wasn't very nice either!
;-)
Bonnie
Before we create we must first imagine, and before we imagine we must first desire. Life itself can become a burden without wanting. To me "love" is related to this cosmic principle, with the added dimension of compassion and understanding.
For characters one might say that much of what drives them is related to love: looking for it, being in it, being without it, having lost it. A character's "love state" is one of the dimensions that defines him/her and his/her behavior.
Dan: Thank you--
Jerry: Absolutely!
Sara: "go out and live and have passion and a willingness to work at being present" You say it well--
Teresa: Yes!
Bonnie: What a great story! I can really see and HEAR it.
Samara: Not cynical at all. Some of the greatest love stories of all time have come from pining: think of Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters. I agree with you totally; some of my best stuff has come out of heartbreak--and the deep desire to make sense of it all, maybe even make it turn out differently--at least in fiction. But pining, and even heartache are forms of being in love; don't you think?
More later...lots of intriguing comments here, but tomorrow is hubs' birthday, and right now I need to go shopping for the ingredients to make his favorite chocolate cake. (It's all about the love.)
I agree Patry...thanks for sharing...please see my articles...thanks for the vine. P,A.L.
Carol: Thank you--
Chris W: Beautifully stated. I couldn't agree more.
Roger: So very true. I, too, write about the full range of human experience, but it is the sense of how things should be--or love--that motivates me.
Ruth: The two are closely related, don't you think?
John: Interesting way to look at it; I had never thought of that...
Cecile: You have a point. Some great works of art have sprung out of rage, fear, and all the human passions.
Vickie, Ron: Thank you!
Paul: I will!
Rosa: Yes it does!
Nick: Being "in love"--at least, in my mind-- isn't confined to romantic infatuation, which is usually transitory and short-lived. But once you've known that feeling, I believe you can summon it up whenever you want. You can fall in love with the stars, the world, the characters in your story. Who's to stop you? But as Cecile pointed out, art has sprung from other passions as well.
Donna, Eyvonne, Amanda: Thank you!
Rona: A martini?
where did you copy and paste this quote from, I would like to read the whole article form which you took this, thanks
"Keep it on the centerline."
A great practice.
Don't know if I am always "in love" but I do love people and they say my passion and personality come out in my writing. Time shall be the best judge...
Thanks!
Lea: I'm glad you followed the link to find that gem. That struck me powerfully, too.
Susan: Clear focus is certainly another important factor. Thanks for adding your opinion!
Kim: John Stanford really conveys a lot of the positives in military life--the discipline, the enthusiasm, and the positive spirit that's needed to really lead and motivate others. I hear some of that in your comment, too.
Kathryn: Common sense and generosity of spirit will take you to great heights. He really was an amazing man. I started off wanting to turn his quote on its head and imagine how it might apply to writing. But after I learned more about his life, I'm now interested in his book. Funny, how things--and people--come to you when you're ready.
Nick: Thanks for coming back.
Ron: Thank you. Choosing must be difficult...but I don't think this is in any way a "cut and paste" article. Though it includes a quote from someone else, I've tried to take a fresh look at it, and applied my own interpretation. I'm glad you saw it that way, too.
Paul: Your welcome!
Tina: I'm glad you were inspired!
Carol: Beautifully said. I agree.
Priscilla: "a connection to the essence of the universe"-- That's it exactly, isn't it? P.S. Love our icon.
I call it "having passion for ALL the various aspects of my life".
It's opposite is "sucking up air".
Thanks. Enjoyed the read.
Pat
P.W.: Yes!! Thanks for adding that.
Jerri: Your welcome!
Jennifer: And it's free, safe, and legal!
Laurun: You know it!
Celisa: Thank you!