I write stuff for kids...and muse on writing, children's books, and the publishing industry in general

Monday, April 25, 2011

My A-Z of Writing Tips: Upwards, Always Upwards

(Source)
Writing has its ups and downs, just like any career/hobby/pastime/vocation (depending on how you see it). When things get me down, one of the things I like to do is read through my favorite writing quotes - some of them are so inspirational they help me see things in a new light.

Pick the one(s) that appeal to you (whether from here or elsewhere), print them out, and stick them somewhere you’ll see them every day. And remember, upwards, always upwards.

What a joy is there in a good book, writ by some great master of thought, who breaks into beauty, as in summer the meadow into grass and dandelions and violets.
Theodore Parker

But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling like dew upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.
Lord Byron

If you wish to be a writer, write.
Epictetus

Successful writers learn at last what they should learn at first,--to be intelligently simple.
Josh Billings

If a book comes from the heart, it will contrive to reach other hearts; all art and authorcraft are of small amount to that.
Thomas Carlyle

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.
C.S. Lewis

How about you: What do you do when things get you down? Do you have a favorite inspirational writing quote?

23 comments:

mooderino said...

Thanks for those, very uplifting.

mood
Moody Writing

Anonymous said...

Great quotes!
I'm off to post the Lord Byron one somewhere...

PK HREZO said...

I love those... especially the Josh Billings one. I'm copying that down for my desk right now!

jkraus8464 said...

Love the quotes. You are such a positive personality! That is why your blogging is so successful. You keep that positive energy flowing. Always upwards...

stupidgirl45 said...

awww great post! Love the last quote too. I think you've inspired me to do a Top 10 quotes list (I do a weekly top 10 list).

Weirdly, my favourite writing quote has nothing to do with writing but it's from Hamlet...."To thine own self, be true". It's useful in life and in writing. Just be you. As your quote says - if you write from the heart it'll reach other hearts - that's what I aim for and just try to stick to being me and writing with integrity.

Thanks for such an upbeat post!

SG x

www.jolenestockman.com said...

I love the one by Epictetus - simple and true :)

Vicki Tremper said...

Thanks for the uplifting post!

Author Joshua Hoyt said...

These are very inspirational great quotes thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

These are GREAT quotes!

When I get discouraged, I remind myself how far I've come and how much progress I've made.

Kay L. Davies said...

I snaffled your quotes and have put them on my desktop, so they're available whenever I need them. I especially like the Josh Billings quotation. And it is obvious Epictetus never fought with Writer's Block!
-- K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

Ann said...

This is the one I need to keep repeating to myself: You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.
C.S. Lewis

Zan Marie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Zan Marie said...

C. S. Lewis and Josh Billings are wonderful! Thanks for these.

BTW, I'm getting ready for my Celebrate Blogfest later this week. It will celebrate my 100th post and 200th follower. I need only one more post to get to 100 and six more followers. Cross your fingers. ; )

K.C. Woolf said...

Wonderful quotes, Rach! :-)

Clara Gillow Clark said...

Thanks for sharing the quotes for writers, Rach. They are inspiring. When I'm feeling discouraged, I reach for a good book. The voice of another writer is always comforting.

Suze said...

I collect quotes and fortunes and pithy statements like a true junkie. A few years ago, I taped the following to my notebook when I went to a writers' conference:

'Your skills will accomplish what the force of many cannot.'

My husband had put a little caret between 'your' and 'skills' and inserted the word 'wicked.' :)

Thanks for sharing your inspiration!

Pearson Report said...

Gosh Rachael, those were GREAT quotes.

And very uplifting indeed.

Love the Josh Billings quote. Since starting the A-Z Challenge I can safely say I look at the written word quite differently.

Now, before I post a piece I challenge myself to reduce it by a quarter less words - I'm laughing because it's been the bane of my existence - ramble, ramble, ramble...see I'm doing it here!

Got to love a kidder!
Hugs, Jenny

Joanne said...

Awesome quotes. I love C.S. Lewis' quote...so true! Blessings, Joanne

Angela Scott said...

I’ve mashed up two inspirational quotes by Kelly Gottuso Mortimer and John Gilstrap to produce ONE awesome quote that has become my writing motto: “I won’t fail, because I won’t quit until I succeed. AND if I don’t succeed, it just means I died too soon.”

Perfect, huh?

Lisa Potts said...

Inspiration is always welcome, Rach. Thanks for the uplift.

Ghenet Myrthil said...

I love these quotes. Thanks for sharing them!

Cally Jackson said...

Wonderful quotes. My favourite quote is not a 'writing quote' per se, but one that helps me to keep writing when things aren't going well - 'Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.'
Nelson Mandela. :-)

Julie Hedlund said...

Great list of quotes! I'm not sure I have a favorite quote per se, but "writers write" comes about as close to a motto as I have.

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