By Emma Ward | On July 11, 2017 | Updated October 27, 2022 | Comments (0)
Doris Lessing (1919 – 2013) was born in Persia, raised in Rhodesia and spent many years in London. Her first novel, The Grass is Singing, was published in 1950 and had a literary breakthrough with The Golden Notebook (1962), now considered a feminist classic.
When she won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2007 the jury described her as “that epicist of the female experience, who with skepticism, fire and visionary power has subjected a divided civilization to scrutiny.” In 2008 The Times put her at number five in the list of “The 50 Greatest British Writers since 1945.”
Doris Lessing long used her platform as an outspoken opponent of apartheid in South Africa, and spoke regularly about the subject. Her brilliance runs through all her work; here are some quotes from her various works to prove the point. Read More→
By Emma Ward | On July 8, 2017 | Updated March 5, 2026 | Comments (2)
Zora Neale Hurston (1891 – 1960), the American novelist, essayist, anthropologist, and folklorist, was a well known figure in the Harlem Renaissance era. With much to say about life, love, and writing, we’ll explore some typically exuberant and wise Zora Neale Hurston quotes and life lessons.
In her fiction and nonfiction she spun out a plethora of inspiring, quotable text that belied the hardships she endured throughout the course of her career.
Her most influential work is Their Eyes Were Watching God (1937), though most all of her other works have been revived after having been virtually forgotten.
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By Emma Ward | On July 5, 2017 | Updated August 16, 2022 | Comments (0)
Lillian Hellman (1905 – 1984) the renowned and sometimes controversial American playwright and memoirist wrote plays that dealt with difficult subject matter. The pinnacle of her creative endeavors was in the mid-20th century, yet evan at this late date in theatre history, she was considered a pioneering female playwright.
The Children’s Hour (1934) was the play that launched Hellman’s career in theater. This was followed by number of other successful productions, including The Little Foxes, Watch on the Rhine, and Toys in the Attic. Read More→
By Emma Ward | On July 1, 2017 | Updated November 6, 2022 | Comments (0)
Sarah Orne Jewett (1849 – 1909) grew up in South Berwick, Maine, where many of her stories are set. She was first published in The Atlantic at age nineteen and gained appreciation for her place and character driven narratives.
Her most enduring works include The Country of Pointed Firs, an 1896 collection of loosely linked fictional vignettes, and the 1884 novel A Country Doctor. The fictionalized settings and characters are drawn from Jewett’s life and experiences in southern Maine.
Jewett was praised for featuring independent women and focusing on their personal lives and passions. She was a mentor to Willa Cather, who respected the wisdom she shared about writing. Here is a sampling of wise quotes by Sarah Orne Jewett from her novels and other sources. Read More→
By Emma Ward | On June 30, 2017 | Updated November 6, 2022 | Comments (0)
Maud Hart Lovelace (1892-1980) sold her first story to the New York Times at age eighteen. She dropped out of college to travel to Europe to write, honing her skills that would ultimately culminate in creating the Betsy-Tacy series of books.
Born and raised in Mankato, Minnesota, Maud enjoyed a happy childhood filled with friends, culture, and a loving family. Imaginative and creative, she began writing stories and poems at an early age.
Generations of readers have loved her books for their simple, old-fashioned charm. Here are some quotes from a selection of her beloved Betsy novels.
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