“Surely he who best uses an idea is most entitled to the credit.”

Defending creative reworking rather than demanding absolute novelty · A Woman of the World

• Creativity
• Ideas
• Originality

“Proceed, my young friend, and write what is in your heart.”

A direct encouragement to young writers to trust their own material · A Woman of the World

• Courage
• Creativity
• Writing

“Why should any mortal say to the poet or the author, 'Do not try to write—it has all been said before.”

Defending the writer's right to revisit enduring subjects in a new voice · A Woman of the World

• Creativity
• Originality
• Writing

“Unless you write with purpose, and power, and passionate enjoyment of your art, forgetful of all things save your desire to express yourself, no influence on earth can do more than give you a page.”

Arguing that genuine artistic commitment matters more than literary influence or connections · A Woman of the World, advice to a young writer

• Creativity
• Purpose
• Writing