I used to be a glass-half-empty kind of person, but that’s changed over the years. Sometimes I still struggle to maintain positivity, but today it’s sunny outside, the cherry blossoms are blooming, and my dear husband E is finally home from his trip. It’s a good day.
In the spirit of positivity, here are a few quotes that can apply to writing as well as life:
ADVICE TO A NEW WRITER: There are no rules in this profession. Do what is good for you. Read books and watch films that stimulate your writing. In your writing, go where the pain is; go where the pleasure is; go where the excitement is. Believe in your own original approach, voice, characters, story. Ignore critics. HAVE NERVE. BE STUBBORN.
~ Anne Rice
(The Olympian Creed) Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragements, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak.
~ Thomas Carlyle
There’s a word for a writer who never gives up… published.
~ Joe Konrath
You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.
~ Jack London
I sense a theme… maybe it’s due to where I am in the writing process, which is at the beginning of a very long road. Though if I think about it, I have really just have two personal motto’s when it comes to writing: there’s always more to learn, and write honestly. Writing honestly is easier said than done.
We’re standing at the same point, you and I- that is, at the beginning of a very long road 🙂 So good thing we have our optimism with us!
I love that quote by Jack London; I’m a firm believer that inspiration comes when you discipline yourself to sit down and write EVERY DAY.
“write honestly” is one of the best advice a writer can get, but it’s also one of the hardest one to apply…
I don’t think it would be possible to get through this without optimism! It’s good to know there are other people on the same road 🙂
You know. There is also another one ‘Success is 99% hard work & 1% talent’. I may be misquoting & I have forgotten the person, who said that, but it is quite true that talent alone cannot help you. This is where the stubborn work-oriented attitude comes into play and gets you published.
I’ve heard that too! And I believe it because I’ve seen it happen. Hard work makes up for so much more than talent. I think that will become another blog post 🙂
I’m hopeful that there’s some general truth in the quote from Konrath.
The credo that I’ve been working under is “There is only one thing under my control: my writing.” I use this to remind myself that I have to write well, that I have to improve. Constant improvement is the only thing that will give me a chance at actually getting my work published.
The other credo I sometimes use: “Yes. I really am that good.” Just a reminder that I am already a good writer, and if I get better I have a shot at becoming a really good writer.
Hehe, I tell myself I’m decent and that I’m smart (I’m not sure if I could say I’m good)… but if I keep working at it, I could be great. I’m one that believes that hard work can get you wherever you want, and that you should never becoming complacent. I suppose that’s because I work in the software industry, where if you don’t keep up to speed, you’re out of a job.
I love what Anne Rice said especially. And your “Write honestly” bit. So true, so true.