There's no end
to the things you might know, depending how far beyond Zebra you go! {Dr. Seuss}

Monday, February 27, 2012

Monday Quote Day!

I suggest you ask yourself if you really want to write the sort of prose that might wind up in a party game.
{Stephen King}
Being a writer is a very peculiar sort of a job: it's always you versus a blank sheet of paper (or a blank screen) and quite often the blank piece of paper wins.
{Neil Gaiman}
If you do not breathe through writing, if you do not cry out in writing, or sing in writing, then don't write, because our culture has no use for it.
{Anaïs Nin}
Find out the reason that commands you to write; see whether it has spread its roots into the very depth of your heart; confess to yourself you would have to die if you were forbidden to write.
{Rainer Maria Rilke}
There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.
{Maya Angelou}
The role of a writer is not to say what we can all say, but what we are unable to say.
{Anaïs Nin}
After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.
{Philip Pullman}
Write what should not be forgotten.
{Isabel Allende}
Happy Monday and happy writing, Zigzaggers!!!

27 comments:

Bluestocking said...

I've been gaining on the blank page lately, but I know it's just a matter of time before it pushes back :)

Talli Roland said...

Ah yes, ah yes, I can relate to all of these! Especially the battle with the blank page.

Jennifer Shirk said...

I your Monday quotes!

And just where did you go snowboarding? Is there actually snow in the Poconos? :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Like the second Nin quote!

J.L. Campbell said...

Profound thoughts about why we write and what it means to us.

Leigh Covington said...

Another fabulous list of quotes. I've started writing them down. I love a good quote and their great to read through on a bad day! :)

Cristina said...

Love that second quote by Neil. my blank screen wins way too often, it's not even a fair fight! LOL

Shannon O'Donnell said...

*sigh* What an exceptional collection of quotes today, Laura!!

Jemi Fraser said...

Love Pullman - not surprised I love his quote! :)

ali cross said...

I love, LOVE, the Maya Angelou quote. THAT is why I write.

Laura Marcella said...

Bluestocking- Good for you! That's okay as long as you keep on pushing back, too. :)

Talli- I think writers know all about that battle!

Jennifer- Thanks! There are a bunch of snowboarding & skiing places near me, but it's been mostly fake snow this winter.

Alex- That's one of my favorites, too!

Joy- Absolutely!

Leigh- I have lots of quotes on the bulletin board above my desk! It helps keep me inspired and motivated.

Cristina- LoL, I hear you! Writers know too well that relentless blank screen. :)

Shannon- Thanks! I'm glad you like them!

Jemi- I like that quote a lot, too! It's so true. Everyone, whether you're a writer or reader or not, appreciates hearing a good story. Or telling one!

Ali- It's so true too!!

Stina Lindenblatt said...

Considering how much I cried last week while writing my first draft, I think I've got Anais's first quote covered. :)

Stephen Tremp said...

"I write murder scenes with such ease and comfort I sometimes ask myself, "Do you think there's anything wrong with me?" - Stephen Tremp

Bish Denham said...

Ah yes, that blank sheet of paper... but it's that one by Philip Pullman that I really like.

Tara Tyler said...

those are so inspirational! i couldnt pick just one!

does cracking yourself up count? i do that a lot!

Susan Fields said...

That first Stephen King one is pretty funny. I think my favorite it the Anais Nin one about saying what we are unable to say.

Susanna Leonard Hill said...

Love these quotes! Lately I feel like the blank page (or screen) is winning too much of the time! :)

Laura Marcella said...

Stina- I hear you! Writes understand that quote too well.

Stephen- Hello and welcome to Wavy Lines! LoL, good quote! I think many murder mystery writers think the same thing. I can't say this from experience, I'm pretty sure it's waaaaay easier writing about it than actually doing something so horrific so I think you're totally fine! Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

Bish- Those two quotes seem to the favorite in this bunch!

Tara- I know, it's hard to pick a favorite writing quote!

Susan- Haha, I know I like King's quote! It's a good reminder to really revise and edit our writing. Nin's is one of the favorites in this bunch for sure!

Susanna- That can happen! But you can win that battle. I know it!

Southpaw said...

This one:
There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.

Yup.

Christina Lee said...

Well well, Rilke--WOW!

Susanne Drazic said...

So far I'm doing quite well conquering the blank paper/screen. I just hope it stays that way. Have a great day!

Oops! Forgot to mention, great quotes!

Medeia Sharif said...

I love these quotes. Outside of writing groups and conferences, as well as bloggers, writing quotes let me know there are kindred spirits out there.

Clarissa Draper said...

I needed to hear those quotes today. Thank you.

Kathi Oram Peterson said...

These are great quotes. I especially liked Maya Angelou's. Thanks for making us think about our craft.

Laura Marcella said...

Holly- Writers sure know that's the truth!

Christina- Rilke's is a powerful quote!

Susanne- Good for you and keep it up!!

Medeia- Oooo, that's a great way of looking at it!

Kathi- Maya always had such inspiring and motivating things to say about writing!

Karen Strong said...

So sad...I missed Monday's quote on actual Monday. :( But yay! I'm here and LOVE the Maya Angelou quote. So true.

As always, love your quotes.

Laura Marcella said...

Karen- That's okay! The quotes are here for whenever you need them. And more will be back each Monday!