Category: Quotes

  • I may never finish my novel . . .

    Lola“I may never finish my novel, but the joy of writing, of using those 26 letters to express and share what I create with them, is the comfort that keeps me on the journey.” Connie Mygatt

    Connie Mygatt is a writer/artist living in beautiful Petaluma, California. She was born and raised in rural Pennsylvania, married and started her family there. The rich memories of life in that rural area and living in California for over 30 years have allowed her to experience many wonderful and sad moments that are an ever constant source of inspiration to her. Plus, life is ever offering intriguing “what if” moments from which to harvest story lines. She enjoys writing short stories, poetry and has started her first novel.

              Last year, Connie finished writing, illustrating and publishing her first children’s book, Only For A While, which can be purchased on Amazon or through her directly at Maye123 – at – comcast.com

    Marlene C

  • “Not only is it OK to risk failure; it’s necessary.” Anthony Doerr

    Anthony DoerrAnthony Doerr, winner of the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for fiction, believes “We need to live with the fear that we will stink, that no one will pay any attention, that we will fall like trees in an empty forest: the fear that we are going to take our glorious, flawless, nebulous ideas and butcher them on the altar of reality.”

    “Not only is it OK to risk failure; it’s necessary.”

    Marlene’s Musings: Feel better now? If a Pulitzer Prize winner can think it’s okay . . . no, it’s necessary to fail. . . then let’s all fail. No worries about your writing. . . Go for it. Just Write!

    Quote from “Costume Drama,” Real Simple magazine, October 2014.

    Marlene C

  • Inside myself is a place where . . .

    Inside myself is a place where I live all alone and that’s where you renew your springs that never dry up. — Pearl S. Buck

    Marlene’s Musings:  And that’s where writers come alive. . . from your imagination, you spin tales that inform, entertain, enhance and make life enjoyable. Keep writing!

    Pearl S. BuckSomething I just learned: Pearl Sydenstricker Buck, also known by her Chinese name Sai Zhenzhu, was an American writer and novelist. As the daughter of missionaries, Buck spent most of her life before 1934 in China. Thanks, Wikipedia!

     

     

     

     

    Marlene C

  • Trust Your Instincts

    Gabriel Packard asked Bo Kaprall: What is the most important thing you’ve learned about writing? — The Writer magazine, June 2015

    Kaprall answered, “Probably the most important single thing I’ve learned about writing is to trust your instincts, because, especially with comedy, it’s so subjective. One person will love it; another person will hate it. Everyone seeks comments and reinforcement or criticism, but really you need to trust your instincts, and that’s harder for someone who’s new at it than someone who’s a little more seasoned.”

    Marlene’s Musings: I agree. When in doubt, listen to your “gut feeling.” Your instincts are right on . . . you just have to trust yourself. With that in mind, when working with an editor . . . listen to what the editor has to say . . . you don’t always have to agree, nor make the suggested changes. Just listen carefully, then go with what your instincts say.

    Bo KaprallBo Kaprall writes, directs and produces Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update. He has written for The Carol Burnett Show, The Cher Show, The Partridge Family, Welcome Back Kotter, Laverne & Shirley and the Bob Hope Christmas Special, among other accomplishments.

     

     

    Marlene C

  • If you have built castles in the air . . .

    “I learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. He will put some things behind, will pass an invisible boundary; . . . If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.” — Henry Thoreau, Walden or Life In the Woods

    Marlene’s Musings:  In order to advance confidently as a writer. . . you need to think like a person who is in the business of writing.  It’s one thing to be a writer, it’s another thing to be a published author.  And if you don’t care about being published. . . then I hope you are enjoying your writing.

    CastleBuild those castles with word pictures, include a moat, a forlorn prince or princess, a formidable problem to overcome.  Throw in a fire-breathing dragon, a jealous cousin. . . Just Write!

    Marlene C

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  • Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not . . .

    “Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not, it’s not the end.” — John Paul DeJoria, Co-founder of Paul Mitchell hair products and Patron Spirits companies.

    John is referring to his early life knocks, but he could also be referring to writers, especially when he says, “Be prepared for rejection.”

    Writers are given rejection advice all the time.

    “Don’t take it personally.”

    “Rejection slips means you are submitting.”

    “At least you’re trying.”

    All these words . . . do they really help when you receive a rejection notice?

    I worked hard a few months ago refining a piece I’ve been working on for a long time. I felt confident and satisfied when I hit the “submit” button.

    And then waited. And waited. Waited some more. You probably know this story. Finally, the notice arrived that although my piece was well-written, it wasn’t accepted. I felt . . . rejected. Yes, I felt personally rejected. “Buck up,” I told myself. “You did the best you could.”

    Later that day, I read John Paul DeJoria’s story. . . “From Foster Care Kid to Billionaire,” in the April 23, 2015 issue of People magazine.  I realized that things could be worse and a publication’s non-acceptance of my writing is only one rejection and their lack of interest isn’t a reflection of me nor my writing.

    John Paul DeJoria.2As John Paul says, “Open yourself up to what is possible.”

    And I say: Because you never know . . . sometimes great things happen in the unlikeliest places!

    So, keep trying. Keep writing and continue submitting. Good things are bound to happen. Click here for Places to Submit.

    Marlene C

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  • You cannot change the past nor control the future.

    “Live in the present, since you cannot change the past or control the future.” — B. Lynn Goodwin

    Marlene’s Musings: Good advice for anyone, especially writers. Just do your best to be the most authentic writer you can be. Your truth and your genuineness will come out in your writing. Your poignancy, your humor, your unique “you-ness” will bring a freshness and honesty to your writing.

    Be your best self . . . who else can you be?

    Except from “Celebrate Your Uniqueness,” by B. Lynn Goodwin

    B. Lynn GoodwinB. Lynn Goodwin is the owner of Writer Advice, www.writeradvice.com, which is currently holding its 10th Flash Prose Contest. She’s the author of You Want Me to Do WHAT? Journaling for Caregivers, and a YA called Talent, which Eternal Press will be publishing this year. Her short pieces have been published in local and regional publications.

    Lynn will be on a panel of editors at Writers Forum in Petaluma, California on May 21, 2015.

    Marlene C

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  • Your Story Is Buried Treasure.

    Chest box“Writing is therapeutic. It saves lives. Your truths are eager to come out. Let them spill onto the page, and see what doors writing opens for you. Your story is buried treasure.

    One of the simplest, most private places to write is in a journal. It allows you to vent, delve into issues, and untangle messes. It lets you analyze or celebrate. It allows you to finish a thought without interruption. The journal validates your right to be who you are.” — B. Lynn Goodwin, “Celebrate Your Uniqueness” in Inspire Me Today.

    B. Lynn Goodwin is the owner of Writer Advice, which is currently holding its 10th Flash Prose Contest. She’s the author of You Want Me to Do WHAT? Journaling for Caregivers, and a YA called Talent, which Eternal Press will be publishing this year. Her short pieces have been published in local and regional publications.

    Lynn will be on a panel of editors at Writers Forum in Petaluma, California on May 21, 2015.

    Marlene C

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  • I write to understand . . . — Elie Wiesel

    Elie WieselI write to understand as much as to be understood. Literature is an act of conscience. It is up to us to rebuild with memories, with ruins, and with moments of grace. — Elie Wiesel

     

     

    Marlene C

  • Rescuing Your Past – Barbara Sher

    Barbara Sher in Rescuing Your Past says:

    “People say we should let go of the past and move on. But you’ll never move into your future unless you take your beloved past with you. And that’s exactly as it should be.”

    “Rescuing Your Past,” from I Could Do Anything If Only I Knew What It Was by Barbara Sher

    Marlene C