Writing can be both challenging and rewarding. Many famous authors and thinkers have shared their thoughts about the writing process. Their quotes can inspire and motivate us to pick up a pen or sit in front of a computer. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced writer, these words can remind us of the power of writing.
Today, we will look at some of the best quotes about writing. These quotes come from different writers and can help you understand the unique journey each person experiences when they write. Let these words encourage you to express your thoughts and ideas through writing!
Quotes About Writing
“The first draft is just you telling yourself the story.” – Terry Pratchett
This quote highlights the importance of the initial writing phase. We often feel pressure to craft a perfect piece right away, but it’s vital to remember that the first draft is simply our own exploration of ideas. By allowing ourselves to just express whatever comes to mind first, we create a foundation that we can build upon later. Writing should feel free and spontaneous at this stage. So, let’s embrace our creative thoughts and let them flow without judgment!
“Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia.” –
This quote charmingly alludes to the multiple voices we can have as writers. We get to step into the shoes of various characters and perspectives while writing. This ability to give life to different personalities can feel like we’re embracing contrasting parts of ourselves. This is the beauty of writing; we get to explore various parts of our imagination and creativity. Let’s celebrate this unique experience and allow ourselves to explore different viewpoints!
“I write only because there is a voice within me that will not be still.” –
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” – Maya Angelou
Angelou’s words resonate with many of us who have powerful stories waiting to be shared. Holding onto our stories can be emotionally painful, as we may feel that they are meant to be expressed. Writing not only provides an outlet for these feelings, it also serves as a way to connect with others. Let’s strive to write without holding back our personal treasures and let our stories shine, for they deserve to be heard!
“It is my ambition to say in ten sentences what others say in a whole book.” – Friedrich Nietzsche
This quote reminds us of the beauty of brevity in writing. Sometimes, less is more, and delivering a message concisely can be a challenge. Nietzsche encourages us to strive for clarity and focus in our writing. By mastering the art of saying more with fewer words, we can communicate our ideas more effectively. Let’s embrace brevity and challenge ourselves to craft messages that resonate deeply without excessive fluff!
“You can make anything by writing.” – C.S. Lewis
“Writing is the painting of the voice.” – Voltaire
“The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now.” – Chinese Proverb
“A word after a word after a word is power.” – Margaret Atwood
“The only writer to whom you should compare yourself is the one you used to be.” – David Foster Wallace
“A writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.” – T.S. Eliot
“To produce a mighty book, you must choose a mighty theme.” – Herman Melville
“Writing is easy. All you have to do is cross out the wrong words.” – Mark Twain
“The task of a writer is not to muse about possibilities but to write.” – Gustave Flaubert
“You don’t write because you want to say something, you write because you have something to say.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald
“We do not write because we want to, we write because we have to.” – W. Somerset Maugham
“The writer’s job is to get the main character up a tree and then once they are there, throw rocks at them.” – Vladimir Nabokov
“The most beautiful things are those that madness prompts and reason writes.” – André Gide
“A good writer is basically a story teller, not a scholar or a redeemer of mankind.” –
“Writing is a way of talking without being interrupted.” – Jules Renard
“A blank piece of paper is God’s way of telling us how hard it is to be God.” – Sidney Sheldon
“You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” – Jack London
“All you have to do is write one true sentence.” – Ernest Hemingway
“The greatest part of a writer’s time is spent in reading, in order to write; a writer should read and be read.” – Samuel Johnson
“I love writing. I love the swirl and the swing of words as they tangle with human emotions.” –
“So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is in a great danger of being misunderstood.” – February 1868.
“If I don’t write to empty my head, I go mad.” – Craig Ferguson
“To write is human, to edit is divine.” – Stephen King
“The writer should never be ashamed of staring. There is nothing that does not require attention.” – Flannery O’Connor
“My words fly up, my thoughts remain below: Words without thoughts never to heaven go.” – William Shakespeare
“Every writer I know has trouble writing.” – Joseph Heller
“An aspiring writer should be juggling with a dozen unfinished poems when he dies, and happy about it.” – Rainer Maria Rilke
“Words do not need to be Made Beautiful. Beauty needs to be made of Words.” – Bertrand Russell
“A writer is someone who can make a reader feel as though their thoughts are being heard.” – Amy Tan
“You can’t be a writer without being a reader first.” – Lisa Scottoline
“When in doubt, have a man come through a door with a gun in his hand.” – Raymond Chandler
“The difference between a successful writer and a failed writer is persistence.” – David B. Coe
“The writer’s job is to find the emotional truth behind the story.” – Barbara Kingsolver
“I have always believed that a writer should be one who seeks and explores the truth of the human experience.” – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
“Writing is not just about saying what you mean but rather finding the words to express it.” – David Mamet
“Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader – not the fact that it is raining, but the feeling of being rained upon.” – E.L. Doctorow
“A writing life is a life of urgency. It must be done, we must do it. If we only write when we have time, we will never write.” – Sharon Olds
“Writers are made not born.” – William Zinsser
“Writing is a way to rewrite our past and make sense of chaos.” – Patti Smith
Final Thoughts
The journey of writing can be both fulfilling and challenging, as many writers have shared through their reflections and insights. Each quote serves as a reminder that there are common experiences among writers, whether it is feeling the pressure to create, overcoming obstacles, or searching for inspiration. Embracing these moments can enrich our writing process.
As we celebrate the art of writing, we can connect with each other through authenticity and creativity. Each of us has unique perspectives and experiences that contribute to the broader tapestry of storytelling.
So, let’s take inspiration from these quotes and encourage one another to explore more about writing and even delve into topics related to reading by checking out some quotes about reading, or understand the value of how we spend our time by exploring thoughts on quotes about time.