About Writing Books

"I forget who it was that recommended men for their soul's good to do each day two things they disliked: it was a wise man, and it is a precept that I have followed scrupulously; for every day I have got up and I have gone to bed. But there is in my nature a strain of asceticism, and I have subjected my flesh each week to a more severe mortification. I have never failed to read the Literary Supplement of "The Times". It is a salutary discipline to consider the vast number of books that are written, the fair hopes with which their authors see them published, and the fate which awaits them. What chance is there that any book will make its way among that multitude? And the successful books are but the successes of a season. Heaven knows what pains the author has been at, what bitter experiences he has endured and what heartache suffered, to give some chance reader a few hours' relaxation or to while away the tedium of a journey. And if I may judge from the reviews, many of these books are well and carefully written; much thought has gone to their composition; to some even has been given the anxious labour of a lifetime. The moral I draw is that the writer should seek his reward in the pleasure of his work and in release from the burden of his thought; and, indifferent to aught else, care nothing for praise or censure, failure or success."

from "The Moon and Sixpence" by Somerset Maugham

Conscience

"I take it that conscience is the guardian in the individual of the rules which the community has evolved for its own preservation. It is the policeman in all our hearts, set there to watch that we do not break its laws. It is the spy seated in the central stronghold of the ego. Man's desire for the approval of his fellows is so strong, his dread of their censure so violent, that he himself has brought his enemy within his gates; and it keeps watch over him, vigilant always in the interests of its master to crush any half-formed desire to break away from the herd. It will force him to place the good of society before his own. It is the very strong link that attaches the individual to the whole. And man, subservient to interests he has persuaded himself are greater than his own, makes himself a slave to his taskmaster. He sits him in a seat of honour. At last, like a courtier fawning on the royal stick that is laid about his shoulders, he prides himself on the sensitiveness of his conscience. Then he has no words hard enough for the man who does not recognise its sway; for, a member of society now, he realises accurately enough that against him he is powerless."

from "The Moon and Sixpence" by Somerset Maugham

People I look up to

For the last few years I've been looking up to some people, ... wanting to be like them, getting inspirations from their work or life, among those are:

Steve Jobs is the CEO, chairman and co-founder of Apple Inc., and is the founder of Pixar Animation Studios and was its CEO until its acquisition by the Walt Disney Company in 2006. Jobs is currently the Walt Disney Company's largest individual shareholder and a member of its Board of Directors. He is considered a leading figure in both the computer and entertainment industries. Steve Jobs is listed as Fortune Magazine's Most Powerful Businessman of 2007, beating out of 25 other business leaders.





Quotes:

"Apple has some tremendous assets, but I believe without some attention, the company could, could, could -- I'm searching for the right word -- could, could die." -- On his return as interim CEO, in Time, Aug. 18, 1997

"I want to put a ding in the universe. "

"You can't just ask customers what they want and then try to give that to them. By the time you get it built, they'll want something new. "

Bertrand Russell is one of my favorite thinkers of all time. He was a writer, a scientist, a politician, and a philosopher. The world would not be the same without his simple style allowing even such people as myself to understand philosophy.

Quotes:

"I would never die for my beliefs because I might be wrong"

"The greatest challenge to any thinker is stating the problem in a way that will allow a solution."



Robert Jordan was the pen name of James Oliver Rigney, Jr., under which he was best known as the author of the bestselling The Wheel of Time fantasy series. It's one of my highest dreams to write a novel as successful as that.

And some of them are even fictional:

Alan Shore is a fictional character on the television series Boston Legal, played by James Spader.



Quotes:

"I am such a slut for authority!"
"We plead not guilty by reason of the district attorney's insanity."
"Oh! You look so bored. I’m about to change that."





The pirate captain Red-Haired Shanks ;)


Shanks is one of the most laid back characters in the world of One Piece, preferring to take his time as he and his crew travels around the world rather than rushing from one place to another.

Quotes:

"Listen bandits, I can have food or drinks spilt on me or even be spat at and I'll laugh about it. However, for any reason if you hurt a friend of mine I will not forgive you!"