"Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia."
This quote by Stephen Dobyns suggests that the act of writing, particularly fiction, involves creating multiple characters, worlds, and narratives within one's mind – a mental activity that may appear to others as unusual or detached, similar to symptoms of schizophrenia. However, unlike schizophrenia, this creative split in the writer's consciousness is socially accepted and often celebrated for its ability to captivate, inspire, and provoke thought. In essence, Dobyns likens the process of writing to a socially acceptable form of an otherwise unusual mental state.
"If you read a book you love to death, it's not because the book has worn out, it's because you have lived too fast."
This quote suggests that if we find ourselves reading a beloved book repeatedly, it is not due to the book's deterioration but rather our own swift pace of life. Essentially, Dobyns implies that we live life so quickly that we seek comfort in books, revisiting them multiple times as a way of slowing down and savoring moments that resonate with us. This quote invites reflection on the speed at which we experience life and encourages us to pause, appreciate, and perhaps, learn from our favorite literary works.
"Art is what makes life more interesting than art."
This quote by Stephen Dobyns suggests that the beauty, complexity, and richness we find in art are not only separate from but actually enhance our real-life experiences. In other words, art isn't just a copy of life, but an amplification, a heightening of its essence and emotion. Thus, life becomes more captivating because of the artistic interpretations that reveal depths, nuances, and possibilities we might otherwise overlook.
"Fear and excitement are identical twins. They share everything, even their clothes."
This quote emphasizes the close relationship between fear and excitement. Both emotions can create a similar physical response within us, such as increased heart rate or sweaty palms. While we often associate fear with negative feelings, it's important to recognize that fear and excitement share the same intensity and adrenaline rush. In many situations, what we perceive as fear might actually be an exciting challenge that sparks curiosity and growth when faced head-on.
"The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes 'Awww!'"
Stephen Dobyns' quote celebrates individuals who live passionately, think creatively, and yearn for experiences beyond the ordinary. He is referring to those who are "mad" in a sense that they are deeply engaged with life, constantly seeking new ideas, and unafraid to express themselves authentically. The imagery of fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars suggests these people illuminate the world around them in unique and extraordinary ways. The shared "Awww!" at the centerlight's pop underscores the admiration and appreciation for such individuals who inspire awe and wonder among others.
My poems always begin with a metaphor, but my way into the metaphor may be a word, an image, even a sound. And I rarely know the nature of the metaphor when I begin to write, but there is an attentiveness that a writer develops, a sudden alertness that is much like the feel of a fish brushing against a hook.
- Stephen Dobyns
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