Inspiration for Writers

February 5, 2014 by jenowenby

Writing is hard work! When we think we’ve got it figured out an editor or trusted friend lets us know there are still plot holes. Maybe we realize we left out key elements, missed tying up a loose end, or we just put our head on our desk and stay there the rest of the day. Here’s some encouragement, keep writing and don’t give up!

I try to create sympathy for my characters, then turn the monsters loose. – Stephen King

Prose is architecture, not interior decoration. – Ernest Hemingway

It’s none of their business that you have to learn to write. Let them think you were born that way. – Ernest Hemingway

We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master. —Ernest Hemingway

A word is not the same with one writer as with another. One tears it from his guts. The other pulls it out of his overcoat pocket. ~Charles Peguy

I try to leave out the parts that people skip. ~Elmore Leonard

Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart. ~William Wordsworth

Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass. ~Anton Chekhov

Easy reading is damn hard writing. ~Nathaniel Hawthorne

I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotions. ~James Michener

What I like in a good author is not what he says, but what he whispers. ~Logan Pearsall Smith, “All Trivia,” Afterthoughts, 1931

So keep whispering!

Until Next Time…

Posted in Meanderings | Tagged Anton Chekhov, character, don't give up, Ernest Hemingway, famous authors, how to write, Nathaniel Hawthorne, plot, quotes for writers, Stephen King, writing | 27 Comments

27 Responses

on January 5, 2015 at 1:04 am | Reply A.M. Simpson

Reblogged this on Anne Simpson and commented:
I found this great blog to inspire me to write and create. It is hard work that’s true, but (there’s always a but). It can also be fun. It’s so easy to become frustrated with lack of progress. But if you identify that ‘thing’ in your life that always seems to rear its ugly head and tries to stop you. In my opinion, it can’t have been a waste of time. The thing is to keep on, rid your life of what’s hindering you and move on. If you just improve a little each day, it doesn’t have to be a huge amount, any little improvement will do. You will eventually find that the book is finished !! What comes against you when you try to write? What’s your plan the next time it happens?
- on January 5, 2015 at 8:20 pm | Reply jenowenby
  
  Thank you very much Anne for the reblog as well as the positive words! Have a great day!
  - on January 7, 2015 at 4:39 am A.M. Simpson
    
    Thanks very much for yours too !
on June 14, 2014 at 6:26 am | Reply To write is to build.. | WordWise Creations

[…] Inspiration for Writers […]
on February 14, 2014 at 10:40 am | Reply angchronicles

My favorites, shh, I’m whispering.
I try to leave out the parts that people skip. ~Elmore Leonard
What I like in a good author is not what he says, but what he whispers. ~Logan Pearsall Smith, “All Trivia,” Afterthoughts, 1931
- on February 14, 2014 at 4:51 pm | Reply jenowenby
  
  Thanks for sharing Angela, it’s good to see you 🙂
on February 12, 2014 at 4:34 pm | Reply Ian Miller

There is some good advice there, I particularly like the one by Elmore Leonard.
- on February 14, 2014 at 4:50 pm | Reply jenowenby
  
  Lots of wisdom there. Thanks for stopping by Ian.
on February 11, 2014 at 10:34 am | Reply Christine Keleny

Reblogged this on CKBooks Publishing and commented:
We all need a little inspiration now and again. Here is some that Jennifer Owenby found for us. I particularly like the one by E.L. Doctorow. Thanks Jennifer!
- on February 11, 2014 at 5:50 pm | Reply jenowenby
  
  Thank you Christine and welcome.
on February 7, 2014 at 4:19 pm | Reply Posts I really liked this week | Taylor Grace

[…] Jen wrote a great little group of inspirational quotes from the greats. I loved them. What a great post! https://jenowenby.wordpress.com/2014/02/05/inspiration-for-writers-2/ […]
on February 5, 2014 at 2:47 pm | Reply Raani York

I just love these quotes… they kind of make me feel like I’m “home” and decided for the right thing being a writer.
- on February 5, 2014 at 7:09 pm | Reply jenowenby
  
  Of course you did 🙂
on February 5, 2014 at 10:33 am | Reply Bette A. Stevens

Reblogged this on 4writersandreaders and commented:
Inspirational! ~ Bette A. Stevens http://www.4writersandreaders.com
on February 5, 2014 at 10:32 am | Reply Bette A. Stevens

Inspiring post! Loved the varied quotes. THANKS, Bette
- on February 5, 2014 at 7:09 pm | Reply jenowenby
  
  Glad you enjoyed them and thanks for the repost!!
on February 5, 2014 at 9:08 am | Reply Tina Wagner Mattern

Well said, Jen! And all these quotes were just wonderful! They inspire me…as do you!
- on February 5, 2014 at 7:10 pm | Reply jenowenby
  
  Thanks for stopping by 🙂
on February 5, 2014 at 8:10 am | Reply desertdweller29

Great quotes, and good timing. thx!
on February 5, 2014 at 7:34 am | Reply Kathryn Chastain Treat

Thank Jen for the inspiration. I want to write more but have been in a funk about writing.
on February 5, 2014 at 7:27 am | Reply Scott Richards

Thank you for your blog. I get caught up sometimes with writing the great American novel on my blog site when I should be just writing thoughts like you have done here. Also, it is hard to get started….
on February 5, 2014 at 6:54 am | Reply caroleditosti

Shared this abundantly on Social, Jen. Thanks. And thanks for your support with my review of Loot.
- on February 5, 2014 at 7:03 am | Reply jenowenby
  
  You are welcome! and Thank you as well.
on February 5, 2014 at 5:25 am | Reply diannejwilson

I love “fill the paper with the breathings of your heart” ❤
- on February 5, 2014 at 7:04 am | Reply jenowenby
  
  I know, some of them were so beautiful! Congrats Congrats Congrats!! Mention that in the questions I gave you as well about your acceptance of your book!!!
on February 5, 2014 at 5:04 am | Reply jsherwin2013

Love the words of wisdom, especially what was quoted from Chekhov, which distinguishes so-so writing from great writing. Thanks for sharing. Jennie
- on February 5, 2014 at 7:05 am | Reply jenowenby
  
  Thanks for stopping by!