“Success is a finished book, a stack of pages each of which is filled with words. If you reach that point, you have won a victory over yourself no less impressive than sailing single-handed around the world.” –Tom Clancy
“Most of the basic material a writer works with is acquired before the age of fifteen.” –Willa Cather
“Confront the dark parts of yourself. … Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing.” –August Wilson
“It’s none of their business that you have to learn to write. Let them think you were born that way. – Ernest Hemingway
“I try to create sympathy for my characters, then turn the monsters loose.” –Stephen King
“You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” – Jack London
“Above all, be the heroine of your life. Not the victim.” – Nora Ephron
”Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
”The Power of imagination makes us infinite.” – John Muir
“When your heart speaks, take good notes.” – Judith Campbell
Which quote is your favorite? Do you have one to add? I’d love to hear from you.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Well, I’m partial to all things Willa Cather. But Stephen King’s is my pick.
Thanks for posting these!
Michele
I’m partial to Willa Cather, too. Thanks for commenting, Michele!
This is my pick: “Confront the dark parts of yourself. … Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing.” –August Wilson And this one is a close second: ”The Power of imagination makes us infinite.” – John Muir
Cool post, thanks!
“I try to create sympathy for my characters, then turn the monsters loose.” –Stephen King
Well, that one I can relate to, though my definition of “monsters” might be a tad different.
“Confront the dark parts of yourself. … Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing.” –August Wilson
Hear-hear! Smart words from a smart man.
“When your heart speaks, take good notes.” – Judith Campbell
The trouble is mine tends to at 2:00 in the morning and I never get to sleep. I’m always schlepping to the writing room to make little notations on Post-Its for the next day. When I try to force myself to remember something, I forget.
“You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” – Jack London
…Or a club soda.
“It’s none of their business that you have to learn to write. Let them think you were born that way. – Ernest Hemingway
This is the only one I have to disagree with. So many people think this, and consequently think they can write, too, just because they can slap down words. Most people today, whether they realize it or not, think of writing as “unskilled labor”…*Anyone* can write. After all, we all do it…
Good comments, guys. Thanks for visiting! I love hearing from you!!
Also, I’m collecting more top 10 quotes for the next installment so please let me know if you have any.
Thanks again!!