There are days (or weeks or months…) when the words don’t flow, the story no longer inspires, and it seems like no one cares about your writing, least of all you. Sometimes relentless malaise is a sign that maybe it’s time to reconsider your writing career. But when you have no doubt that writing is where you belong, yet you’re still asking “what’s the point?” maybe what you need are some words of advice and encouragement from others who’ve been where you are. Here’s what ten authors had to say about why you should keep going…
“A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.” -Richard Bach
“I know some very great writers, writers you love who write beautifully and have made a great deal of money, and not one of them sits down routinely feeling wildly enthusiastic and confident. Not one of them writes elegant first drafts.” -Anne Lamott
“Every writer I know has trouble writing.” -Joseph Heller
“Finish the damn book. Nothing else matters. Stop second-guessing yourself and write it through to the end. You don’t know what you have until you’ve finished it. You don’t know how to fix it until it’s all down on the page.” -Lauren Beukes
“A writer is a writer not because she writes well and easily, because she has amazing talent, or because everything she does is golden. A writer is a writer because, even when there is no hope, even when nothing you do shows any sign of promise, you keep writing anyway.” -Junot Diaz
“Writing may or may not be your salvation; it might or might not be your destiny. But that does not matter. What matters right now are the words, one after another. Find the next word. Write it down.” -Neil Gaiman
“I believe myself that a good writer doesn’t really need to be told anything except to keep at it.” -Chenua Achebe
“I think new writers are too worried that it has all been said before. Sure it has, but not by you.” -Asha Dornfest
“Write like it matters, and it will.” Libba Bray
“You fail only if you stop writing.” -Ray Bradbury
Do you have a favourite encouraging quote or words of wisdom of your own? Share in the comments…
Cheers,
Aspasía S. Bissas
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