Category: Quotes

  • Writers: Open doors to flights of imagination

    “. . . the urge to be a writer is a generous act at its core: we want to share our story with others, to give them a world that will open doors to insights and flights of the imagination.” — Grant Faulkner

    Excerpted from “Sharing stories, sharing yourself,” from Grant’s Substack newsletter on writing and creativity, “Intimations: A Writer’s Discourse.”

    Grant:

    As a boy, I spent my allowance on all sorts of pens and paper, so there was never much question I would become a writer. I received my B.A. from Grinnell College in English and my M.A. in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University.

    It seems like I should have other degrees, such as an MFA in Novels about People Doing Nothing But Walking Around, a PhD in Collages and Doodles and Stick Drawings of Fruitless Pursuits, or a Knighthood in Insomniac Studies, but I don’t.

    Marlene C

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  • Be Brave!

    “Coming out of your comfort zone is tough in the beginning, chaotic in the middle, and awesome in the end . . . because in the end, it shows you a whole new world.” — Manoj Arora

    Just Write!

    #amwriting #iamawriter #justwrite

    Marlene C

  • Connections elevate our days . . .

    “Because in a busy, noisy world, it is our connections with one another that truly elevate our days.” Real Simple editor Leslie Yazel Sept. 2017

    I love finding quotes with the word, or the idea of, connections in them.   

    I have been fascinated with the idea of connections for a long time. And so it isn’t a surprise that one of the books in The Write Spot series has the theme of connections.

    The Write Spot to Jumpstart Your Writing: Connections is currently on sale at Amazon. And available as a Kindle ereader.

    Here’s an excerpt of the updated Connections description:

    Ready to share your experiences but not sure how to start? Use this book of evocative essays and writing exercises to unlock your unique voice.

    Connections is a vastly diverse set of stories, vignettes, and poems. Choosing selections penned by interconnected individuals such as mothers and granddaughters, sisters, and best friends, Cullen deftly highlights emotions and feelings to help spark your own adventure in tale-spinning. And by joining these fascinating women on a journey through traditions and yearnings as old as time, you’ll gain insight into the deep worth of sharing your own path through life.

    The Write Spot to Jumpstart Your Writing: Connections is the poignant second book in The Write Spot series on how to be a successful wordsmith. If you like well-crafted thoughts, tender-hearted reflections, and journeys through history, then you’ll love Marlene Cullen’s inspirational collection.

    Marlene C

  • Chatting . . . that connected feeling

    Photo by Priscilla Du Preez

    “Chatting with a stranger makes you happy. Connecting with another person, even briefly—like talking to the barista brewing your coffee or a random seatmate on the train home from work—gives you a feeling of belonging and improves your mood.” —  “Your Body’s Trying to Tell You” May 2016 Reader’s Digest

    Marlene C

  • You are a real writer if . . .

    “You are a real writer if you are writing, if you are working on your craft, listening to critique, and striving to be better.” —Lauren Danhof

    Excerpt from the July/August 2023 issue of Writer’s Digest magazine

    #justwrite #iamawriter #iamwriting

    Marlene C

  • Our stories . . .

    FairiesReading
    Story Time

    “Our stories make us stronger and better.” — Holly Curtin

    Just Write!

    #amwriting #iamawriter #justwrite

    Marlene C

  • That Vulnerable Feeling

    Dr. Brené Brown

    “Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome.

    Vulnerability is not weakness; it’s our greatest measure of courage.” — Brené Brown 

    Note from Marlene: I think that sharing your writing is an act of trust and courage. That vulnerable feeling is real.

    #justwrite #iamawriter #amwriting

    Marlene C

  • People will never forget . . .

    Maya Angelou

    “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did,

    but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ― Maya Angelou

    Marlene C

  • Healing Starts When You . . .

    “Healing starts when you write about what happened and how you felt about it then, and how you feel about it now.

    And in order for our writing to be a healing experience, we need to honor our pain, loss and grief.” — “Opening Up By Writing It Down” by James Pennebaker

    “The Write Spot: Writing as a Path to Healing” has an expansive section on how to write about difficult subjects without adding trauma.

    Marlene C

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  • It’s Just The Programming

    Do you wonder why you think what you think?

    “It’s just the programming.” Ted A. Moreno offers these words for contemplation:

    We believe what we’re told. That’s what we do as little kids. From the time we’re born until 8 or 9 years old we take in everything as absolute truth. So when people come to my hypnotherapy office because they don’t feel good about themselves, or they feel less than, I tell them “Hey, It’s the programming. Just the programming. The mind viruses you caught from someone else. It’s not your fault. It’s not who you are, it’s just how you are thinking and what you believe, and the good news is that you can change your thinking and what you believe.”

    Excerpt from: “Embrace Your Place: Powerfully Claiming Your Existence, Episode 408”— November 17, 2022, by Ted Moreno

    Ted A. Moreno is a hypnotherapist, success performance coach, published author, educator and sought-after speaker who helps his clients become free from fear and anxiety, procrastination and bad habits such as smoking.

    He is a Certified Hypnotherapist, Certified NLP Practitioner, and holds the Master Certification as a Therapeutic Imagery Facilitator. In addition, Ted is an Honors Graduate of the Hypnosis Motivation Institute and a recipient of the Director’s Award from HMI, awarded for exceptional professional achievement during clinical residency.

    Ted’s book, “The Ultimate Guide to Letting Go of Negativity and Fear and Loving Life” is available on Amazon.com.

    Marlene C

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