Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Tony Hillerman on writing

“Sitting at a computer is the place for taking a clunky sentence and smoothing it out, making it read better. I do some of my best writing in my head before I fall asleep for my afternoon nap. I recommend that!”

—Tony Hillerman, quoted in Tony Hillerman's Landscape by Anne Hillerman

6 comments:

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I was late to the comments on your cover art - sorry, Bob!

I agree the green is too much and I'd go with a detailed and color version of a snake.

Amanda Borenstadt said...

At 6am I bring my husband breakfast, jump back into bed next to him, and then my brain starts whirring. That's when I do most of my "writing." I also do a lot of "writing" while driving.

Jane Kennedy Sutton said...

These days I find the trouble with doing the "best writing in my head" is that the thoughts vanish before I get them down on paper!)

Roland D. Yeomans said...

I do some of my best dialogue, speaking it out loud in the echo chamber of my shower. In fact, a new twist on the dialogue usually gives me insight into doing the next scene slightly different, Roland

Amanda Borenstadt said...

That's a great idea, Roland. I always read everything I write out loud. That's how I catch if something sounds wrong. Never tried composing dialogue in the shower though.

Gina Magini said...

I like that first sentence. It makes writing sound a little like ironing. And doesn't it feel good to see all those wrinkles smooth out?