Top quotes by Anne McCaffrey

I'm very fond of the Talent series, and also the Crystal Singer trio. Votes: 13

I have my good days and my bad days, but I don't have as much energy as I used to back when I was young and foolish and didn't count the cost - and it takes a lot - to write. Votes: 10

But I will say that living in Ireland has changed the cadence and fullness of speech, since the Irish love words and use as many of them in a sentence as possible Votes: 10

I also don't have organized religion on Pern. I figured - since there were four holy wars going on at the time of writing - that religion was one problem Pern didn't need. Votes: 9

What I used to do between writing fits was feed my kids, ride my horse and go shopping for cat and dog food. Votes: 9

I would recommend the short story form, which is a lot harder to write since you have to be so careful with words, until there is plenty of time to doodle through a novel. Votes: 7

I think the Internet, particularly the availability of information, is great. I do a lot of correspondence on-line and have a chat line to talk to my fans as well. Votes: 7

I do outlines when I'm writing with someone, but they also need to have a certain amount of freedom. Votes: 7

If Jana had been given to putting her thoughts into words, she might have told Laxmi that without someone to love,there was no reason to live. Votes: 7

Drummer, beat, and piper, blowHarper, strike, and soldier, goFree the flame and sear the grassesTil the dawning Red Star passes Votes: 7

I did not have a chance to write novels until my youngest child started school fulltime. Votes: 6

Each email contains an unsubscribe link. We will NEVER sell, rent, loan, or abuse your email address in ANY way. Writing has been so much a part of my life that I'm really quite annoyed that I can't do as much as I used to. Votes: 6

How could she have believed such an artificial life as the theatre was suitable? Votes: 5

Make no judgments where you have no compassion. Votes: 5

The thing is, emotion - if it's visibly felt by the writer - will go through all the processes it takes to publish a story and still hit the reader right in the gut. But you have to really mean it. Votes: 5

I didn't raise Todd to be a writer, but he happened to be one anyway. Votes: 5

That's what writing is all about, after all, making others see what you have put down on the page and believing that it does, or could, exist and you want to go there. Votes: 4

I wouldn't encourage new writers to start off publishing through electronic media... it still isn't wide enough for the readership they would need to get a good start Votes: 4

People have freaked out when I tell them that my dragons are scientifically based... what else can you call a genetically engineered life form? Votes: 4

I have a shelf of comfort books, which I read when the world closes in on me or something untoward happens Votes: 4

I think the Internet, particularly the availability of information, is great. I do a lot of correspondence on-line and have a chat line to talk to my fans as well Votes: 3

At age 77, I need the help of someone with more energy than I can now summon to finish a book. Votes: 3

That's such a thrill - a story I wrote at the beginning of my career, and it's still packin' the house. Votes: 2

I have always used emotion as a writing tool. That goes back to me being on the stage. Votes: 2

Your music can be played easily and well by any half-stringed harper or fumble-fingered idiot. Not that I'm maligning your songs. It's just that they're an entirely different kettle of fish-to use a seamanly metaphor-to Domick's. Don't you judge your songs against his standard! More people have already listened to your melodies and liked them than will ever hear Domick's, much less like them. Votes: 2

I think writers need windows on a view to remind them that a whole world is out there, not the minutiae with which they might be dealing on a close scale Votes: 2

A real scientist solves problems, not wails that they are unsolvable. Votes: 1

Don't leave me alone!A cry in the night,OF anguish heart-stiking,Of soul-killing fright.Live for my livingOr else I must dieDon't leave me alone.A world heard that cry." Votes: 1

speak hard, steal the air. Votes: 1

Children's voices - even those who couldn't carry the tune - are always appealing. Votes: 1

Because we build the worlds we wouldn't mind living in. They contain scary things, problems, but also a sense of rightness that makes them alive and makes us want to live there. Votes: 0

I don't often reread my own books, unless I am going into another in the series and need to refresh my mood when originating the concept. Votes: 0

Tell the readers a story! Because without a story, you are merely using words to prove you can string them together in logical sentences. Votes: 0

I did not have a chance to write novels until my youngest child started school fulltime Votes: 0

I have written my own screen version of Pern, but had no buyers yet. Votes: 0

Make no judgements where you have no compassion. Votes: 0

I think writers need windows on a view to remind them that a whole world is out there, not the minutiae with which they might be dealing on a close scale. Votes: 0

I wouldn't encourage new writers to start off publishing through electronic media... it still isn't wide enough for the readership they would need to get a good start. Votes: 0

James Blish told me I had the worst case of "said bookism" (that is, using every word except said to indicate dialogue). He told me to limit the verbs to said, replied, asked, and answered and only when absolutely necessary. Votes: 0

Living is struggling to do something impossible; To succeed or die, knowing that you had tried. Votes: 0

How much can a dragon carry? As much as it thinks it can Votes: 0

I do outlines when I'm writing with someone, but they also need to have a certain amount of freedom Votes: 0

Tell a story! Don't try to impress your reader with style or vocabulary or neatly turned phrases. Tell the story first! Votes: 0

The blackest night must end in dawn, the light dispel the dreamer's fear. Votes: 0

Mostly I'm telling people that they don't have to be victims Votes: 0

Step by step Moment by moment We live through Another day Votes: 0

I didn't mean to stay up all night to finish Windhaven, but I had to! Votes: 0

I have always used emotion as a writing tool. That goes back to me being on the stage Votes: 0

I would recommend the short story form, which is a lot harder to write since you have to be so careful with words, until there is plenty of time to doodle through a novel Votes: 0

At age 77, I need the help of someone with more energy than I can now summon to finish a book Votes: 0

I didn't raise Todd to be a writer, but he happened to be one anyway Votes: 0

I'm 78, I'm on my pension in Ireland, and all that good stuff Votes: 0

Of course, an exhausting day at sail lines and nets left little energy to expend on running or laughing. Perhaps that was why her parents couldn't appreciate her music-it wouldn't appear to be hard work to them. Menolly shook her hands, letting them flap from her wrists. They ached and trembled from the constricted movements and tension of an hour of intensive playing. No, her parents would never understand that playing musical instruments could be as hard work as sailing or fishing. Votes: 0

Fight only in direst need Not for lust or petty greed Honor those that do give birth Respect them well for their full worth Votes: 0

I don't often reread my own books, unless I am going into another in the series and need to refresh my mood when originating the concept Votes: 0

I have my good days and my bad days, but I don't have as much energy as I used to back when I was young and foolish and didn't count the cost - and it takes a lot - to write Votes: 0

The horse, the noblest, bravest, proudest, most courageous and certainly the most perverse and infuriating animal that humans ever domesticated Votes: 0

To cry was to release all sorts of ugly little pressures and tensions. Like waking out of a long, dark dream to a sun-filled day. Votes: 0

Above us, outlined against the brilliant sky, dragons crowded every available perching space on the Rim. And the sun made a gold of every one of them. Votes: 0

My eyes are green, my hair is silver and I freckly; the rest is subject to change without notice. Votes: 0

But Ship Who Sang remains my favorite story. I really rocked folks with that and still cannot read it aloud myself without weeping at the end Votes: 0

Fear has its uses but cowardice has none. Votes: 0

Who wills, Can. Who tries, Does. Who loves, Lives. Votes: 0