Old Writing Quotes

The problem with the Internet is that you can never be sure if the quotes are attributed properly. -Thomas Jefferson

Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity. -George Patton

When you jump out of a plane without a parachute, don't bother being happy that wind resistance is slowing you down. -unknown

The true alchemists do not change lead into gold; they change the world into words. -William H. Gass

Finishing a story with the feeling that it may be the best story you've ever written is wonderful. -unknown

I could write more, if the weekends were five days longer. -unknown

I still remember the first time I was scolded for being an introvert. I didn't know anyone could think of it as bad until that moment. -unknown

I don't care if a reader hates one of my stories, just as long as he finishes the book. -Roald Dahl

When writing a book, break it into manageable chunks by outlining. Then write the novel's text for one subheading at a time. -unknown

The skill of writing is to create a context in which other people can think. -Edwin Schlossberg

When writing a book, feel free to write the last pages, or middle before the first pages. You're writing, not reading, the book. -unknown

The best way to become acquainted with a subject is to write a book about it. -Benjamin Disraeli

My most important piece of advice to all you would-be writers: when you write, try to leave out all the parts readers skip. -Elmore Leonard

The lesser of two evils - is evil. -Seymour (Sy) Leon

The first page of 'War and Peace' was once blank. -Robert F Mager

Rejection and criticism are daily occurrences in the life an author. An author needs to develop a thick skin. -unknown

Have something to say, and say it as clearly as you can. -Matthew Arnold

Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes. -Jim Carrey

Writing starts with living. -L.L. Barkat

For a long time now I have tried simply to write the best I can. Sometimes I have good luck and write better than I can. -Ernest Hemingway

An author must learn the principles of good storytelling only in order to write better from the heart. -Uri Shulevitz

Often I'll find clues to where the story might go by figuring out where the characters would rather not go. -Doug Lawson

A writer is working when he's staring out of the window. -Burton Rascoe

Never stop at the first draft of a story. It's not done, yet. -unknown

It took me fifteen years to discover I had no talent for writing, but I couldn't give it up because by that time I was too famous -RBenchley

A writer ... must think that whatever happens to him or her is a resource. -Jorge Luis Borges

Note: I am archiving this post from an old blog that will disappear forever this year.

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