When Croft's "Life of Dr. Young" was spoken of as a good
imitation of Dr. Johnson's style, "No, no," read more

When Croft's "Life of Dr. Young" was spoken of as a good
imitation of Dr. Johnson's style, "No, no," said he, "it is not a
good imitation of Johnson; it has all his pomp without his force;
it has all the nodosities of the oak, without its strength; it
has all the contortions of the sibyl, without the inspiration."

Obscurity is the realm of error.
[Fr., L'obscurite est le royaume de l'erreur.]

Obscurity is the realm of error.
[Fr., L'obscurite est le royaume de l'erreur.]

Style is a magic wand, and turns everything to gold that it touches

Style is a magic wand, and turns everything to gold that it touches

For style beyond the genius never dares.
[Fr., Che stilo oltra l'ingegno non si stende.]

For style beyond the genius never dares.
[Fr., Che stilo oltra l'ingegno non si stende.]

Clearness ornaments profound thoughts.
[Fr., La clarte orne les pensees profondes.]

Clearness ornaments profound thoughts.
[Fr., La clarte orne les pensees profondes.]

I discovered that what's really important for a creator isn't what we vaguely define as inspiration or even what it read more

I discovered that what's really important for a creator isn't what we vaguely define as inspiration or even what it is we want to say, recall, regret, or rebel against. No, what's important is the way we say it. Art is all about craftsmanship. Others can interpret craftsmanship as style if they wish. Style is what unites memory or recollection, ideology, sentiment, nostalgia, presentiment, to the way we express all that. It's not what we say but how we say it that matters.

I do not go down and sit in front of the computer and make myself write; that's not my style.

I do not go down and sit in front of the computer and make myself write; that's not my style.

The style is the man.
[Fr., Le style c'est l'homme.]

The style is the man.
[Fr., Le style c'est l'homme.]

The flowery style is not unsuitable to public speeches or
addresses, which amount only to compliment. The lighter beauties read more

The flowery style is not unsuitable to public speeches or
addresses, which amount only to compliment. The lighter beauties
are in their place when there is nothing more solid to say; but
the flowery style ought to be banished from a pleading, a sermon,
or a didactic work.
- Voltaire (Francois Marie Arouet Voltaire),