Being a writer is one of the most difficult and confusing professions you can get yourself into. This is because there are so many uncertainties that come with being a writer. And you will experience insecurities on whether or not your work is good enough and your work will receive a lot of criticism before you make an impact on the literary world. But don’t be discouraged. Every writer has gone through these uncertainties and feelings of insecurity. And it takes a great deal of will power and courage to overcome these insecurities.
Even the great writers of the past have struggled to make a name for themselves. But through talent and hard work they were able to cement their legacies on literature. Here are some quotes that will reinvigorate your love for writing.
- How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live.”
–Henry David Thoreau
The words of the great Henry David Thoreau are true. In order for you to write convincingly, you will need to live first. As the saying goes art is merely an imitation of life. You can be the most well-read writer in the world, but if you have never truly experienced life and its many facets your work will come out bland and unconvincing.
This is why many great authors were adventurers before they put pen to paper. These adventures not only served as inspiration for their work, but as motivation to write more. One incredible example is the great novelist, Ernest Hemingway. In his youth, Ernest Hemingway had lived a life of adventure. He was a war correspondent for the Spanish Civil War. He risked his life on various occasions and had met a multitude of people along the way. This is why he was able to create such magnificent work throughout most of his life.
- “No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader.”
–Robert Frost
Robert Frost’s quote truly gives a simple yet effective message on how to improve writing skills. And that is to truly feel what you are writing. Don’t just write for the sake of writing, you can have the best book editors and the best copy editing services at your disposal, but if you don’t know how to fully convey a piece of yourself into your work, all your efforts will be for naught. Instead, you should truly put a piece of yourself into your work. You should use every emotion that you have felt in your writing. By doing so you will be able to write with more depth and sensitivity.
- “You never have to change anything you got up in the middle of the night to write.”
–Saul Bellow
Inspiration can strike at any time, even in the middle of the night. The muses are very fickle and inspiration can come and go in the blink of an eye. So it is very important that you recognize any of these inspirational flashes and act on them accordingly.
This is why it is advisable that you keep a notebook handy all the time. That way, should inspiration hit, you will be able to write it down and be able to take advantage of it.
- “You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.” –Ray Bradbury, Zen in the Art of Writing
Writing can be quite work intensive. This is especially true if you are writing a book and you are expected to devote months and even years of your life to finishing it. This is where passion is key. In order for you to last long as a writer, it is very important that you stay passionate no matter what.
- “I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.”
–Anne Frank
This beautiful quote by Anne Frank captures everything good about writing. Writing can be an escape from the harsh realities of life. Writing is also a constructive way to express negative emotions.
For example, you are struggling with the death of a friend. The death of someone close to you can be profoundly intense and you will most likely be feeling a myriad of emotions. From grief, anger to even shame. This is where writing comes in handy, because through your writing you can give voice to all of these feelings of pain without feeling self-conscious.
Great writers in the past have even used negative emotions to create great works. All in all, writing is an incredibly potent way to shake off negative thoughts.
- “I kept always two books in my pocket, one to read, one to write in.”
–Robert Louis Stevenson
This quote by the great Robert Louis Stevenson, gives a subtle yet potent message on how being a writer is a constant search for excellence.
As a writer, you should never rest on your laurels. Read as much as you can and strive to improve your craft. Read new books and learn new concepts and philosophies every day to enhance your understanding of the world. It is also a good idea to meet new people and have new experiences. The more people you meet and the more experiences you have the more depth and substance your work will have.
- “Get it down. Take chances. It may be bad, but it’s the only way you can do anything really good.”–William Faulkner
William Faulkner’s quote truly captures the adventurous aspect of writing. The quote is a call to action, compelling writers to take chances. To step out of their comfort zones and try something new. Only by doing so, will you be able to reach new heights in your journey as a writer.
