Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Writing quotes, courtesy "Biloxi Blues"

Eugene Jerome: Why is that we come from the same background, but I can't understand you?

Arnold Epstein: You're a witness. You're always standing around watching what's happening, scribbling in your book what other people do. You have to get in the middle of it. You have to take sides. Make a contribution to the fight.

Eugene Jerome: What fight?

Arnold Epstein: Any fight. The one you believe in. Until you do, you will never be a writer, Eugene.

Later in the film...

Arnold (to Eugene): Once you start compromising your thoughts, you're a candidate for mediocrity.

5 comments:

David Cranmer said...

Love it. Great, great lines.

Cormac Brown said...

David,

I'm surprised how little I remember of the film, as I haven't seen it since a week after its release. I'm definitely enjoying it on another level today, through Neil Simon's eyes as a writer and observer.

David Barber said...

I will have to watch this film. Great lines. I'm sure I watched it when I was younger but women, beer and kids kind of messed with my memory....where am I? What am I? Hellllppppp???

Randal Graves said...

I don't believe in nothin' no more. I'm going to law school.

Cormac Brown said...

David,

You are in Friday Flash Fiction Land, with an Iron Bru and a king rib in every pot.

Randal,

Watch out, Felix Unger is behind you!