Pictures for the Soul

Sometimes the soul takes pictures of things it has wished for but never seen. — Anne Sexton

I think that’s what writers do, try to write the pictures they’ve seen with their souls. And probably why nothing ever quite measures up to the vision in our mind’s eye. I know I’m never satisfied with anything I write.

I’ve been reading Word Painting by Rebecca McClanahan, a book I’ve had for many years but never got around to reading. That’s where I ran across the Sexton quote. The book is filled with quotes and anecdotes of writers and artists. I’m only about 50 pages in, but the main message seems to be avoid cliches, make use of the rich language that exists.