A Gathering of Days

Our fantasies are what most closely resemble us.

Victor Hugo

Today, combining day fourteen and day fifteen, is the conclusion of Lerowen's charming writer's challenge. I'm a trifle sad to see it go because it has been enjoyable, albeit a little difficult at times, but too much of a good thing, you know, is too much.



day fourteen: your favourite quotes about writing



As with books about writing, I had difficulty culling out of my meagre stash of poems and quotations those that had to do with writing. I enjoy a good piece of poetry, though I am rarely poetic myself: I have spent my time studying prose, I'm afraid, and poetry is still an unlocked mystery. Still, I keep an old notebook that fills with extreme slowness with poems and quotations, and in its dog-eared depths I found those quotations that have struck me over the years as regards writing.



He who uses his words loosely or unsteadily will either be not minded or not understood.

John Locke



Every author in some way portrays himself in his works, even if it be against his will.

Goethe



A good novel tells you the truth about its hero; but a bad novel tells you the truth about its author.

G.K. Chesterton



Daddy says you really aren't allowed to quote someone until they are dead, but in conclusion I must give a quote by my husband to myself:



You need to write. You are always happier when you are writing.



And now for the very last subject of the fifteen-day challenge. It would not let me go off without a desperate squeeze through the bottleneck, I dare say, and today's topic is certainly a challenge.



day fifteen: your favourite song to write to



I am one of those dreadfully annoying people who can listen to the same song back-to-back all day, sometimes all week, if I enjoy it enough - and yet I could not tell you what is my most favourite song. As for writing, music definitely conjures up moods, and every mood needs a different sort of tune. Music impacts: music once impacted a whole nation to violence. So the music has to be fitting to the scene. No one song will do. These may not make a great deal of sense, and may not seem to have to do with what they say that have to do, but then...it is my own mind to me.



The Pastoral: Storm (Fernando Ortega), This Good Day (Fernando Ortega), If I Stand (Rich Mullins), Romantic Flight (How To Train Your Dragon)



The Traveller: The Traveller (Fernando Ortega), If I Stand (Rich Mullins), Marco Polo (Loreena McKennitt), Let Mercy Lead (Rich Mullins)



The Fight: Kingsword (Heather Dale), Brother, Stand Beside Me (Heather Dale), Creed (Rich Mullins), While The Nations Rage (Rich Mullins)



The Aching: I've Seen Hell (North & South), Thornton's Walk (North & South), Elysium (Gladiator), Toy Soldiers (Carbon Leaf) Hold Me, Jesus (Rich Mullins)



The Quietude: A Place On The Earth (Fernando Ortega), Sleepless Night (Fernando Ortega), Cymbeline (Loreena McKennitt), Vanilla Twilight (Owl City)



A Kind of Everything: Now We Are Free (Gladiator), Extended Serenity Theme (Serenity), The Celts (Enya)





if I stand let me stand on the promise

that You will pull me through

and if I can't let me fall on the grace

that first brought me to You

and if I sing let me sing for the joy

that has born in me these songs

and if I weep let it be as a man

who is longing for his home

Rich Mullins, If I Stand