Jessamyn West Quotes Page 2

“It is not easy to be solitary unless you are also born ruthless. Every solitary repudiates someone.”

“Writing is a solitary occupation. Family, friends, and society are the natural enemies of the writer. He must be alone, uninterrupted, and slightly savage if he is to sustain and complete an undertaking.”

“Fiction reveals truths that reality obscures.”

“People who keep journals have life twice.”

“There are two barriers that often prevent communication between the young and their elders. The first is middle-aged forgetfulness of the fact that they themselves are no longer young. The second is youthful ignorance of the fact that the middle aged are still alive.”

“Talent is helpful in writing, but guts are absolutely necessary.”