Quotes about Writers or Writing: Artistic growth is...

“Artistic growth is a refining of the sense of truthfulness. The stupid believe that to be truthful is easy, but only the artist, the great artist, knows how difficult it is.”

Willa Cather

Rat's Country: Sometimes I am certain

Sometimes I am certain I am on someone’s Most Wanted list. I just don’t know whose. I worry that they will find me, arrest me, and when they tell me what I did, I will be surprised. “That’s my crime?” I will say.

Rat's Country: "How I Carry Myself

The image of two me’s, one carrying the other. Sometimes the “me” I carry is a burden, a sack, a lump, something I can hardly wait to put down, let go of, drop, regardless of the consequences. That “me” is a sack of oats, a bag of potatoes, the garbage waiting to be taken out.

The other is a “me” to be carried lightly, gently, with affection—the way I held my babies. No matter the discomfort, I always loved carrying them.

Rat's Country: I have an evil twin...

I have an evil twin named Mia Culpa, who runs around screaming, “Mia Culpa Mia Culpa,” especially when she’s drunk.

Rat's Country: What taking a risk feels like...

I understand it feels like walking on a log high above a fast-moving stream. You feel unbalanced, self-conscious, and you have to stretch your arms to keep from falling. You can do it!

Chekov Cuts to the Chase

"If you want to work on your art, work on your life."

Anton Chekov

If Anger Were a Place

If Anger Were a Place

For years you walked in the wind,

learned to lean forward,

head down,

trained yourself to narrow your eyes.

One day the wind stopped.

You waited.

When the wind didn’t resume,

you became the furious one.

You felt way too old

to learn to walk in stillness

and livid that you spent your life

in a windy place

although you chose it.

Rat's Country: Like an old sheepdog gathering lambs...

Like an old sheepdog gathering lambs scattered in the night, I begin my day by herding myself back together.

Rat's Country: Be kind to yourself today...

Be kind to yourself today, and know that you will have no trouble distinguishing kindness from self-indulgence.

Rat's Country: Whenever I come to a one-way street...

Whenever I come to a one-way street, I look the wrong way first.

Rat's Country: The sound of the truck...

The sound of the truck pulling into the driveway made her cringe: an emotional hearse loaded with sadness.

Rat's Country: When my life is going well...

When my life is going well, I become anxious. I should think like a gardener. It's okay to have healthy flowers and vegetables. It's okay to have healthy, happy adult children. It's okay to have a good life.

Rat's Country: It is pathetic to think of her...

It is pathetic to think of her putting all that effort into loving someone who is incapable of reciprocating, like a little dog mounting the leg of a chair.

Rat's Country: My Definitions:

My definitions: To be intimidated must mean “to be made timid.” To encourage yourself must mean “to give yourself courage.”

Rat's Country: It's hard to come up with a poem

It's hard to come up with a poem. I wish I could come down with one, like the flu or a cold.

Rat's Country: After you let go of a rope...

After you let go of a rope you have held tightly, your fingers want to stay curled and it hurts to unbend them. This discomfort doesn’t last long. When you let go of an attachment or an attitude, expect your mind to stay curled in resentment. It won’t last long. That’s my goal: to let go of tightly held anger and resentment. I expect residual cramping, but I know it will go away.

Rat's Country: I would like to hear sirens singing...

I would like to hear sirens singing from the rocks, “Get a grip. You’re okay.” I know sirens don’t say “okay” or “get a grip.” Actually, sirens don’t talk to women; they only whisper to men. Who does sing to women? Their mothers. Often they hum, “You’re not as good as I am, so don’t even try." Sometimes their fathers hum, "I always wanted a boy."

Rat's Country: "I have no sympathy for you ...."

I have no sympathy for you today. You fuss like a child who frets about jumping off the low board.

Q: Who Were Your Heroes When You Were a Child?

Q: Who were your heroes when you were a child?

A: Dogs and horses. I wanted to be Lassie and always know my way home. I wanted to be loyal and smart--and classy--a collie or a palomino. I wanted to be a tough little terrier not afraid to bite the heels of ruffians. I wanted to be Black Beauty, rescued from hardship and maltreatment, turning out to be a real winner.

Film stars paled in comparison with the dogs and horses of my youth. Sure, I cut out photos of movie idols in Silver Screen. However, I was never certain whether I wanted to be Audie Murphy or to marry him. Although I had pictures of red-lipped women with perms and bosoms, it seemed more likely that I would turn into a dog than become Virginia Mayo or even Esther Williams.

Rat's Country: "The scent of sage ...."

The scent of sage fills me as thoroughly as sorrow.

Rat's Country: "You toss a coin ..."."

You toss a coin into a wishing well and then make a wish. You do not crawl down into a wishing well and live like a toad on the bottom.