The greatest part of a writer's time is spent in reading, in order to write; a man will turn over half a library to make one book.

You can never correct your work well until you have forgotten it.

Composition is, for the most part, an effort of slow diligence and steady perseverance, to which the mind is dragged by necessity or resolution, and from which the attention is every moment starting to more delightful amusements.

The man who writes about himself and his own time is the only man who writes about all people and about all time.

True ease in writing comes from art, not chance, as those move easiest who have learned to dance. 'Tis not enough no harshness gives offence. The sound must seem an echo to the sense.

In all pointed sentences, some degree of accuracy must be sacrificed to conciseness.

Most writers regard the truth as their most valuable possession, and therefore are economical in its use.

Never write anything that does not give you great pleasure. Emotion is easily transferred from the writer to the reader.

Mostly, we authors must repeat ourselves -- that's the truth. We have two or three great moving experiences in our lives -- experiences so great and moving that it doesn't seem at the time that anyone else has been so caught up and pounded and dazzled and astonished and beaten and broken and rescued and illuminated and rewarded and humbled in just that way ever before.

Mr. Faulkner, of course, is interested in making your mind rather than your flesh creep.