Seven Encouraging Quotes

/ Joan Hall

Hey, SE Readers. Joan with you today. The year is winding down and I’m still recovering from NaNoWriMo.  More about that to come, but I will say I’m celebrating!

Now back to the things at hand. One of the things I love about being a part of Story Empire is the opportunity to encourage other writers. Today, I’m going to share a few quotes that have benefitted me in my writing journey.

I hope these will also resonate with you.

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” 

C. S. Lewis

I’ve often said that I wish I had begun writing at an earlier age. I could let those regrets keep me from writing now or I can choose to write. The quote by C. S. Lewis is a wonderful reminder that we are never too old to begin something new.

“If you hear a voice within you say, ‘you cannot paint’, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.”

Vincent van Gogh

In one of the first writing classes I took, the instructor used this van Gogh quote. I struggled with self-doubt for years, and this single quote has made a big impact on me. Now, whenever my inner voice tells me, “You cannot write,” then I write. Writing silences that voice.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”

Winston Churchill

There are times when we will succeed and times when we will fail. If we stop with our first success—whether it is a freelance writing opportunity or a published book, we will miss some great opportunities.

Likewise, if we allow our failures (and there will be some) to discourage us to the point of quitting, we will never succeed. We must have the courage to continue.

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

Thomas Edison

Imagine what could have happened if Thomas Edison had given up after two or three attempts at inventing the light bulb. Or if the Beatles had stopped singing when they were turned down by Decca Records? If Stephen King had given up after having his manuscript Carrie rejected by thirty publisher.

If we quit after two or three rejections, we will never succeed. Keep striving!

“To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping.”

Chinese Proverb

The life of a writer is truly a journey—often filled with unexpected twists and turns. It is a marathon—not a sprint. Sometimes the journey is difficult but we need to take only one step at a time.

“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can somehow become great.”

Mark Twain

I don’t like to be around negative people—those that always think the worst and never see anything positive in any situation. Likewise, beware of those who belittle and berate you. They can destroy your self-confidence and ambitions in a heartbeat.

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”

Theodore Roosevelt

This last quote speaks for itself. Believe! You! Can!

What are some quotes that have made an impact on your life? Please share in the comments.

41 thoughts on “Seven Encouraging Quotes”

  4. Hi Joan! I love your quotes. Among these, my favourites are the one by C.S. Lewis and the one by Winston Churchill. Churchill, in particular, knew a lot of things both about failure and success. He tended to fail in spectacular ways, but he also had the courage to pursue new plans and ideas that he was convinced could work.
    One of my favourite quotes is not really about writing…and it comes from Harry Potter.
    “Words are our most inexhaustible source of magic. Capable of both inflicting injuries and remedying it.”

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  9. These are all such great quotes, Joan! The Chinese Proverb immediately made me think of the process of writing a novel. “To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping.” Yep. That’s the way it’s done, one word at a time. Thanks for sharing!

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  18. The Twain one is so true. Sums up a lot of people too since belittling is basically a top 3 activity on the Internet. Isn’t there another quote out there saying ‘Whether you say you can or you can’t, you’re right.’ I forgot the specific and speaker, but it’s a school poster in one of the rooms I go to.

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