Category: Writing Quotes

“There is a saying that ‘paper is more patient than man’…there is no doubt that paper is patient and I don’t and I don’t intend to show this cardboard-covered notebook, bearing the proud name of ‘diary’ to anyone, unless I find a real friend, boy or girl, probably nobody cares. And now I come to the root of the matter, the reason for my starting a diary: it is that I have no such real friend.” – Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl

“We are often told that we are what we eat. In our world since e-printing press, it might be more accurate to say we are what we read. How each of us digests what we read is a mystery. And what people really read is sometimes as puzzling as what they really think.” – Daniel J. Boorstin

“The key to successful biography lies in the depth of a writer’s empathy.” – Judith Shulevitz

“The next thing most like living one’s life over again seems to be a recollection of that life, and to make that recollection as durable as possible by putting it down in writing.” – Benjamin Franklin

“Intentions compressed into words enfold magical power.” – Deepak Chopra

“Writing is about discovering oneself. Don’t be intimidated by other people’s opinions. Only mediocrity is sure of itself; so take risks and do what you really want to do. Seek out people who aren’t afraid of making mistakes and who, therefore, do mistakes. Because of that,  their work often isn’t recognized, but they are precisely the kind of people who change the world and after many mistakes, do something that will transform their own community completely.” – Paulo Coelho, Aleph

“Reading is very important, but anyone who puts all his faith in academic tomes and creative writing is missing the point: words are life set down on paper. So seek out the company of others.” – Paulo Coelho, Aleph

“Words are clothes that thoughts wear.” – Samuel Butler

“All good writing is swimming under water and holding your breath.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald

“Writing is easy; all you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until little drops of blood form on your forehead.” – Gene Fowler