Writerly Quotes #1

If you’ve been around since I first started Rubber Ducky Copywriter, you’ll know that I collect quotes. I used to start every blog post with a quote. I have a page of quotes here on this blog.

Quotes are snippets of wisdom from people who, I think, have achieved more than I. Insight in a few words. Perspective in 30 seconds or less. More than that, quotes are a way of stepping outside of our own minds and into someone else’s, even if it’s just for a moment. A new way of looking at things.

So, without further ado, let’s get started. 

“Our job in this life is not to shape ourselves into some ideal we imagine we ought to be, but to find out who we already are and become it.”
– Steven Pressfield, The War of Art: Break Through the Block and Win Your Inner Creative Battles

I equate this to finding your Voice, not just in writing or other creative pursuits, but in your life. As you know, too many of us spend too much time trying to mold ourselves into being an ‘ideal.’ Into fitting other people’s expectations.

This is a good reminder to look inward and define ‘ideal’ in terms of ourselves.

“Books are a uniquely portable magic.”
– Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

I’m all about books. They introduce you to new worlds, words and ideas. And they’re so easy to carry around. Most of mine fit in my purse. Okay, I only carry purses that can hold at least one paperback, but still…portable.

“The voice of Love seemed to call to me, but it was a wrong number”
– P.G. Wodehouse, Very Good, Jeeves!

P.G. Wodehouse is one of my favorite authors. If I were stranded on a deserted island, I’d want the whole of his writings to sustain me in lieu of food. (I’d stress-eat it all anyway.) His works are rich with lines like this one. Charming. Clever. Approachable. A wonderful way of saying, “No. No way. Much as I’d like to, no. Just…no.”

“It is impossible to discourage real writers — they don’t give a damn what you say; they’re going to write.”
– Sinclair Lewis

And if you aggravate us enough, we’ll create a character based on you. Who knows where it could go from there. Seriously though, this is the way it should be. We are writers. Watch us write, baby!

Anything in this edition strike a chord? Or do you have a favorite quote or two to share yourself? Post in the comments.

Important: I do my best to make sure these are actual quotes by the actual people who can be credited with these quotes. However, if you see that I’ve made a mistake, please let me know, either in the comments below or via a private Twitter message.