One Great Moment

"Developing a writer's voice is almost a process of unlearning, one analogous to children's painting."

“Developing a writer’s voice is almost a process of unlearning, one analogous to children’s painting.”

—Susan Orlean from "Telling True Stories: A Nonfiction Writers' Guide"
"How could you have a new country without excellent dreamers?"

“How could you have a new country without excellent dreamers?”

—A character in "The Plover," a novel by Brian Doyle

“The girl, Fernanda Jacqueline Davila, was 2 years old: brief life, long journey.” 

—Vivian Yee and Miriam Jordan of The New York Times
"From the dancing came the dancing."

“From the dancing came the dancing.”

— Tommy Orange in his debut novel "There There"
"Just be the kite."

“Just be the kite.”

—Robin Enger to her husband, novelist Leif Enger
"To the press alone, checkered as it is with abuses, the world is indebted for all the triumphs which have been gained by reason and humanity over error and oppression."

“To the press alone, checkered as it is with abuses, the world is indebted for all the triumphs which have been gained by reason and humanity over error and oppression.”

—James Madison, a Founding Father and fourth president of United States
"No matter how long we study them, the images are unfathomable. No matter how quickly we look away, they are unforgettable."

“No matter how long we study them, the images are unfathomable. No matter how quickly we look away, they are unforgettable.”

—Chuck Haga, Sept. 16, 2001, the Star Tribune of the Twin Cities
"Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it."

“Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.”

—Poet Mary Oliver, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award
"Do not despair of our present difficulties. We believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here."

“Do not despair of our present difficulties. We believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here.”

—U.S. Senator John McCain, Republican of Arizona, 1936-1998
"Words. Words upon the wind. What will endure, perhaps is what I have written. If so, it is enough."

“Words. Words upon the wind. What will endure, perhaps is what I have written. If so, it is enough.”

—Journalist and Pulitzer Prize winning novelist Geraldine Brooks