I just found again this book, Letters to a Young Poet, which is a collection of letters Rainer Maria Rilke wrote to Franz Kappus, a young poet he mentored. As a writer I found them inspiring, and that they speak deeply to my experience.
One bit I particularly liked (answering Franz asking if he should be a writer):
"There is only one way: Go within. Search for the cause, find the impetus that bids you write. Put it to this test: Does it stretch out its roots in the deepest place of your heart?"
There are a lot of other beautiful pieces in these letters. They spoke to me, and I thought maybe other people might enjoy them too.
One bit I particularly liked (answering Franz asking if he should be a writer):
"There is only one way: Go within. Search for the cause, find the impetus that bids you write. Put it to this test: Does it stretch out its roots in the deepest place of your heart?"
There are a lot of other beautiful pieces in these letters. They spoke to me, and I thought maybe other people might enjoy them too.