I dislike the many online articles and blog posts that offer a list of dos and don’ts on writing. They are nothing but click bait or shortcuts to the real work of writing. These are the ones that tell you to “start with action,” or “show, don’t tell,” or the “ten rules of writing a novel.” They are a disservice to the work, a disservice to the art, a disservice to you as a writer. Are there best practices? Of course. But good writing is not about rules and formulas.

However.

I might not like the articles that tell you to “do these ten things to write a winning novel,” but I do love the quotes by writers that suggest a path to follow. Those little clips, sound bites (if you will) of inspiration and support are wonderful.

What are your favorites? Share them in the comments. These are mine.

Here we go…

“The road to hell is paved with works-in-progress.” – Philip Roth

“Style is to forget all styles.” – Jules Renard

“Genius gives birth, talent delivers. What Rembrandt or Van Gogh saw in the night can never be seen again. Born writers of the future are amazed already at what they’re seeing now, what we’ll all see in time for the first time, and then see imitated many times by made writers.” – Jack Kerouac

“When writing a novel a writer should create living people; people, not characters. A character is a caricature.” – Ernest Hemingway
“To gain your own voice, you must forget about having it heard.” – Allen Ginsberg

“Writing means sharing. It’s part of the human condition to share things – thoughts, ideas, opinions.” – Paul Coehlo

“Writing if an act of faith, not a trick of grammar.” – E.B. White

“Art is never finished, only abandoned.” – Leonardo da Vinci

 
“Don’t bend; don’t water it down; don’t try to make it logical; don’t edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.” – Franz Kafka

“I write entirely to find out what is on my mind. what I’m thinking, what I’m looking at, what I’m seeing, and what it means.” – Joan Didion

“I think there are a lot of similarities between writing and music. Music is much more direct and much more emotional and that’s the level I want to be at when I’m writing.” – Karl Ove Knausgaard

“Be courageous and try to write in a way that scares you a little.” – Holly Gerth

“Writing is the painting of the voice.” – Voltaire

Got more?