I’ve always enjoyed books in which writers talk of the writing craft, their passion for writing, and in which they tell the story of their writing. Trying to spark some inspiration for my writing, I again picked up Erica Jong’s book, Seducing the Demon: Writing for My Life. There are so many good lines that I underlined, that I don’t know where to start in my comments on this book. Erica Jong is a favorite author of mine now, thanks to my good friend E. B. I’ve read everything Jong’s written now, and those readings have changed, influenced, charged me. Here are just a few of the many quotes from this book that I especially liked.

“Writing and reading enable you to reclaim the inside of your skull” ( 29).

“Are these men from the cold and gloomy north so sexy because they taunt you with the promise of sex that can melt icebergs? Or is it the intensity of genius that attracts?” (41).

“A lover makes love with words, with stroking, with laughter. Anxiety ruins sex. Which may be why married people can have great sex—as can longtime lovers, or longtime friends” ( (80).

“For me, poetry always comes fast and furiously when I’m in love—or at least lust. It’s notoriously hard for poets to tell the difference” ( (94).

There are many, so many other good quotes. But for now, these will have to do. Time to go. If I’m fortunate, I’ll get some real writing done.