42 Quotes by Ursula K. Le Guin about Writing

  • Author Ursula K. Le Guin
  • Quote

    I have never heard a dancer asking for advice about how to stay focused on her footwork, or a painter complaining about the dull day-to-day task of painting. What task worth doing isn't worth daily effort? Do you think Michelangelo was having fun the whole time he was on his back painting the Sistine Chapel's ceiling.

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  • Author Ursula K. Le Guin
  • Quote

    What's needed in this case is conscious and serious practice in hearing, and using, and being used by, other people's voices.

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  • Author Ursula K. Le Guin
  • Quote

    Do remember, though, that unless you're a playwright, the result [dialogue] isn't what you want; it's only an element of what you want. Actors embody and re-create the words of drama. In fiction, a tremendous amount of story and character may be given through the dialogue, but the story-world and its people have to be created by the storyteller. If there's nothing in it but disembodied voices, too much is missing.

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  • Author Ursula K. Le Guin
  • Quote

    I came into science fiction at a very good time, when the doors were getting thrown open to all kinds of more experimental writing, more literary writing, riskier writing. It wasn't all imitation Heinlein or Asimov. And of course, women were creeping in, infiltrating. Infesting the premises.

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  • Author Ursula K. Le Guin
  • Quote

    All makers must leave room for the acts of the spirit. But they have to work hard and carefully, and wait patiently, to deserve them.

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