“There’s a stereotype that writers thrust their work upon anyone they meet: Do you want to read my book? Do you want to read my poems? Do you want to see why I’m the next Hemingway? I am not one of those writers.”— Georgia Knapp, electricliterature.com
“Writing has always been a serious business for me. I felt it was a moral obligation. A major concern of the time was the absence of the African voice. Being part of that dialogue meant not only sitting at the table but effectively telling the African story from an African perspective—in full earshot…”— Chinua Achebe, amazon.com
“These writers, and their works, inspire us to keep pushing towards a truly intersectional, inclusive feminism that can truly topple the patriarchy once and for all.”— The Rumpus, therumpus.net
“True ease in writing comes from art, not chance, As those move easiest who have learn'd to dance.”— Alexander Pope, poetryfoundation.org
“Being a writer means no lonely Sunday nights, because there’s *always* work to be done. But it also makes it hard to enjoy idle time, to take a break, to be present in a moment. Because there’s *always* work to be done.”— Myke Cole, twitter.com
“When you arrive at the place where you are too concerned with your career that is exactly the moment you must return to your art.”— Jami Attenberg, twitter.com
“You know what's great about writing a book is it is still waiting for you the next day right where you left it and also probably that night haunting you and basically always it is in your brain and you can't escape it.”— Jami Attenberg, twitter.com
“This is why I stress to new theatre writers - making a living off writing isn’t the same as being a writer who makes good work. Aiming for the latter rather and not having the former isn’t a failure. Whatever setup lets you make work you want & not torch your life is the ideal.”— Vinay Patel, twitter.com
“Reminder to writers who think their book sucks: This is normal — push through it. Insecurity is part of the process. Only bad writers think they’re good.”— Harlan Coben, twitter.com
“Much of publishing is completely out of your control. The only thing you can control is the power of your storytelling and the professionalism with which you deliver it, and that means tuning out the noise, putting your butt back into the chair, and getting better.”— Delilah S. Dawson, terribleminds.com
“’T is hard to say if greater want of skill Appear in writing or in judging ill;”— Alexander Pope, oll.libertyfund.org
“About 6 years ago, I made myself a promise: I would only write what I wanted to read. I wouldn't think about market, or audience, or anything else until a story was written. Before it could exist for anyone else, it has to exist for me.”— V.E. Schwab, twitter.com
“Books are a beast. Scripts are stressful. Comics are daunting. But holy hell, I love telling stories.”— V.E. Schwab, twitter.com
“When I'm working on a book, I become so tangled up in it, I can't focus on anything else. But when I'm NOT working on a book, my thoughts get tangled up all on their own.”— V.E. Schwab, twitter.com
“I hope you remember that the scaffolding of joy is oftentimes shadows and doubt, and that's okay. Your joy and your success doesn't have to look like anyone else's.”— Roshani Chokshi, twitter.com
“I’m hearing from lots of aspiring writers, and I just want to remind you that what you see is oftentimes a highlight reel. What someone reveals on social media can still be sincere, but it is curated. Nothing is overnight. Nothing is guaranteed. I 100% understand how the dream of being a bestseller,…”— Roshani Chokshi, twitter.com
“My single best decision in 30 years as an author? To treat every single writer I meet, no matter where they are in their journey, with kindness and as a serious person intent on pursuing an art that I love. It has brought so much joy and so many wonderful people into my life.”— Kelly McCullough, twitter.com
“I’m not usually one for aphorisms, but I think as writers we all worry we’re doing it wrong. However you get there is how you get there. And to those struggling to fit writing into an already too-busy, too-stressful life, you have all my love and admiration.”— Kiersten White, twitter.com
“The right way to write is whenever and however you can. I’m proud of you for working to figure out how to create and craft your stories. You got this.”— Kiersten White, twitter.com