Creativity Quotes

Where does inspiration come from? These quotes explore the mysterious process of making something new.

21159 quotes

W
"The true alchemists do not change lead into gold; they change the world into words."
William S. Burroughs
W
"I think that writing is a disease you cannot cure."
William S. Burroughs
W
"To create meaning, you must be dangerous."
William S. Burroughs
W
"When you're writing, you're in a state of mind."
William S. Burroughs
S
"The task of the artist is to make the strange familiar."
Saul Bellow
S
"The only true immortality is in the work you leave behind."
Saul Bellow
S
"The artist's life is marked by constant uncertainty."
Saul Bellow
J
"Creativity thrives in constraints, not in unlimited freedom."
Joseph Heller
J
"Creativity is intelligence having fun."
Joseph Heller
"You write fiction because you need to—it's a compulsion."
Philip Roth
"Every act of writing is an act of rebellion."
Philip Roth
"A writer is someone who has taught their mind to misbehave."
Philip Roth
N
"The essence of camp is the spirit of extravagance."
Norman Mailer
N
"I think there's a real rhythm to the work - you can't push it."
Norman Mailer
N
"The creative individual is a person who can be objective about his or her own work."
Norman Mailer
J
"Almost everything I write about is a product of watching people."
J.D. Salinger
W
"Cut-ups could take you anywhere."
William S. Burroughs
W
"The worst thing you can do is bore people."
William S. Burroughs
W
"Every creation is a collision of ideas."
William S. Burroughs
A
"I have nothing to say and I am saying it"
Allen Ginsberg
A
"The universe is made of language"
Allen Ginsberg
A
"Put down the cigarette, take up the pen"
Allen Ginsberg
A
"Creativity is the foundation of civilization"
Allen Ginsberg
"A writer is someone who has taught their mind to misbehave."
Kurt Vonnegut
"Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow."
Kurt Vonnegut
J
"I've been writing all night in this notebook, writing and writing."
Jack Kerouac
J
"Genius gives birth, talent it the activity of pushing those powers into significant detail."
Jack Kerouac
J
"Creativity is intelligence having fun."
Joseph Heller
J
"Creativity is the essence of life."
Joseph Heller
W
"The word is now a virus."
William S. Burroughs