
Hi SERers! Denise here. Today I’m going to talk about something I appreciate, quotes.
Growing up, I heard many quotes that would make me think. There were a few my great-grandmother would repeat to me, and I would nod with no understanding. Later her wisdom would replay itself to me, and when the youthful veil lifted, I understood her words.
Some words affected me so deeply I passed them on to my children.
A favorite of mine was, “Don’t believe anything you hear and only half of what you see.” Words my great-grandmother may have borrowed from Edgar Allan Poe’s line, “Believe nothing you hear and only one half that you see.” It’s even truer today with social media.
As an adult, I not only appreciate quotes but read them any chance I get. When I’m overwhelmed with writing projects or I draw a blank, it’s nice to connect with another author’s wisdom. It assures me I’m not alone, and we’re all dealing with the same issues.

Some quotes that inspire me:
“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.” Stephen King
I’ve learned so much about writing by doing it. When reading I pay close attention to what I enjoy and what I do not. When I sit down to write, I take my observations from reading.
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” ~ Maya Angelou
I agree with Ms. Angelou it would not be very pleasant to reach the end of life without sharing the stories inside. When I want to give up on a story, I remember that.
“A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.” ~ Richard Bach
This one hits home and reminds me not to quit. There are days when I wonder what I’m doing. This quote comes to mind, and I get back to work.
Do you have any favorite writing quotes that have inspired you or brightened your writing day?
Here are some quotes from famous authors. Can you match which author (listed below) said what quote? The answers are provided after the river picture.
Quotes:
- “Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.”
- “There is no rule on how to write. Sometimes it comes easily and perfectly: sometimes it’s like drilling rock and then blasting it out with charges.”
- “The first draft is just you telling yourself the story.”
- “The best time to plan a book is while you’re doing the dishes.”
- “Words can be like X-rays if you use them properly – they’ll go through anything. You read and you’re pierced.”
- “Sometimes the ideas just come to me. Other times I have to sweat and almost bleed to make ideas come. It’s a mysterious process, but I hope I never find out exactly how it works. I like a mystery, as you may have noticed.”
- “It ain’t whatcha write, it’s the way atcha write it.”
- “When I sit down to write a book, I do not say to myself, ‘I am going to produce a work of art.’ I write it because there is some lie that I want to expose, some fact to which I want to draw attention, and my initial concern is to get a hearing.”
- “The difference between the almost right word and the right word is … the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.”
- “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.”
Authors:
a. Terry Pratchett
b. George Orwell
c. Agatha Christie
d. Jack Kerouac
e. Mark Twain
f. J.K. Rowling
g. Aldous Huxley
h. Ernest Hemingway
i. Steven King
j. Anton Chekhov

ANSWERS:
- i, 2. h, 3. a, 4. c, 5. g, 6. f, 7. d, 8. b, 9. e, & 10. j.
Thanks for playing along. How did you do?
All of us at Story Empire wish everyone who celebrates St. Patrick’s Day a happy one! May today bring you the quote you need.

Pingback: WRITING QUOTES TO INSPIRE | Story Empire
Reblogged this on PTL Perrin Writes… and commented:
I love quotes that inspire, challenge, affirm, confound, and make me think. How about you? I found this fun post by my friend D.L. Finn, whose books I enjoy reading. Check out her fun quotes matchup game!
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Oh, I love these, Denise! I can’t even pick a favorite, but I love Bach’s and Kerouac’s. Great share.
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Thanks, Diana:) Bach’s is so true and gives that extra push we need! Kerouac has a wonderful way of saying things:) You should have seen my orginal list of quotes, it was painful narrowing it down to this list…lol.
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I think every new author needs to pin that Bach quote above their writing desk.
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I agree!
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I like to use writers’ quote to start off my writing process course. Students always find one that resonates with them. The Maya Angelou quote is a bit favorite.
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That’s wonderful you use quotes in your classes, Liz:) They really do inspire and allow us to think. I like to think about not leaving my story untold when I find myself struggling, it really helps.
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Thank you for this empowering posting, Denise! The quiz is wonderful, but i am feeling sorry. I only guessed two. 😉 Indeed, quote are perfect for getting a positive mind. Thank you again, and have a beautiful week! Michael
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Quotes are so powerful and can really uplift my moods. I wouldn’t have gotten two right on the quiz, so congrats on your matches! They are all familar but I never remember who said them. Thank you. I hope your week is beautiful as well, Michael 🙂
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Thanks, Marje 🙂 I always enjoy doing quizzes and hoped others would. I can picture Agatha Christie plotting murders while cleaning the dinner dishes…lol.
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I love quotes too Denise. Fantastic idea about the quiz, i recognised some and love the one about doing the dishes! Lol.
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Thanks, Marje 🙂 I always enjoy doing quizzes and hoped others would. I can picture Agatha Christie plotting murders while cleaning the dinner dishes…lol.
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Yes, that is some image about Agatha Christie! Great fun, thanks Denise. 🙂
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Brilliant post Denise and I managed to get a couple of the quotes right.. enjoyed there wisdom.. and I agree with them all.. Especially about the first draft…xx
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Thank you, Sally:) Sounds like you did the best on the quiz then, yay! I’m not sure I would have done so well even with how familiar they are to me. A lot of wisdom in their words and I don’t worry about that first draft anymore. Xo
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What a fabulous read about quotes, Denise. Like you, I find quotes to be inspirational! Thanks for the great quotes quiz! ❤️
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Thanks, Colleen 🙂 They have always provided that needed inspirational nudge or even a good laugh. Glad you liked the quiz, I enjoy doing them. Xo
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Great quotes. Inspiring, moving, truthful and funny. But I’m just going to get another cup of coffee / empty the washing machine / check Facebook before I settle down to writing today (don’t quote me on that!). Good luck all!
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Thanks, Jessica. So very true, but I won’t quote you 😉
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My mantra has always been ‘Do unto others as you would have done to yourself’. Can’t talk the talk if you haven’t worn the shoes. ❤
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That’s one I always told my kids. I’ve always tried to live by it. Thanks, Debby:) xo
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It work for me Denise! 🙂 xx
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I do enjoy a good quote. One that has always stood out to me; though there are many that are better, is “all that you can imagine is real” Pablo Picasso.
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That’s a good one. I’ve always believed that’s it real somewhere. Thanks, Ray!
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Number three speaks to me at this early stage. This was good to read.
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Thanks, Dan. Yes, number three is so true.
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Love Hemingway’s quote and can so relate. I’m currently drilling:) What a fun post.
xoxoxo
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I definitely can relate to it too. This was a blasting week for me:) I hope your drilling goes smoothly. Thanks, Sandra. xoxoxo
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Number 10 is wonderful! In fact, all of these inspire me as a writer and knowing that others have hit the same problems as I have and overcome them is such an ecouragement I’m going to print these out and stick them next to my desk. Many thanks!
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Thank you, Alex:) Yes, it is wonderful to be reminded we all go through the same things as writers. Good idea to put inspiring words next you when you write. Happy writing!
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I love quotes as well, and I use them a lot when I give presentations (on my books, or on writing) and in my writing classes. Quotes say a lot in a few words, and they’re not easy to write! I’ve given talks and readings to a number of elementary classes about writing (and then I read my children’s books) and the teachers LOVE it when I use a quote (and I have no idea whose it is): “What are the six rules that help you be a good writer: READ, READ, READ, READ, READ, and READ. I think this inspires reading in the kids. 🙂
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What a great addition to to your presentations and classes to share quotes, Pam. I can see why the teachers and student like it. That’s a fantastic quote to share and I fully agree about reading. It’s a gift to encourage children to read and opens a new world to them. Xo
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Are you introduce yourself with story type adverbs?
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I’m a collector of quotes, Denise! I have a folder and subfolders of quotes in different categories. I liked quote #6.
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That’s great you collect quotes, Miriam 🙂 Sounds like you have them organized for easy access. J. K. Rowling had it right it is a mysterious process.
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I love this post. I have a living document of quotes from all walks of life somewhere. Quotes are useful for the hard parts of our lives.
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Thanks, Craig. I like the idea of a living document. Quotes do offer hope or inspiration some in tough times.
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Love the Bach quote–““A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.” I once too a class from him on writing. He’s as fun in person as he sounds.
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That’s another good quote, Jacqui! And so true:) How lucky to have taken a class from him. It must have been amazing.
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It was and he collected some amazing amateur writers–as you can imagine. I’m still friends with many of them.
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One of my favorite quote – that I attribute to Bear Grylls – is: “Commitment is doing the thing you said you would do long after the mood you said it in has passed.”
I wrote this quote and used it in my poetry book and on my website: “You may think that I am bitter, but I’m not. I’m tangy.” – Leon Stevens
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There is so much truth in what commitment is, when you do what you said you would after the mood passes. Your quote made me smile, Leon. I prefer the term tangy too!
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I’m glad. Thanks!
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I didn’t get any right. Oh well. Great post!
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I wouldn’t have gotten any right either, even those the quotes are so familiar. Thanks. Charles 🙂
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#5 and #10 really struck home with me. These are wonderful, Denise. They say writing is a lonely career, but that’s not true, we’re surrounded by the greats, aren’t we? ❤
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I like the idea of words as x-rays:) I’m sold on a description of the moon. You are so right Jacquie, we are never alone as writers when we are surrounded by the greats and held up by their words. Xo
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What a fun post, Denise! I love quotes and really enjoyed all of these. My favorite is #9 and I’m not surprised to find out it was from Mark Twain. Thanks so much for sharing all of them! I’ll be passing this along on The Write Stuff shortly. I know folks will enjoy it as much as I did! 😀
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Thank you, Marcia 🙂 Mark Twain has a wonderful insight into word choice, I agree. I always enjoy running across a good quote. I really appreciate the reblog!
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Totally my pleasure, always, especially when I enjoy a post this much! 🙂 😀
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This is such a great post, Denise. I knew the quotations but failed miserably in matching them up to their authors. I have quotes that come back to me at times when I’m struggling to make sense of where my muse has disappeared to so suddenly, so Number 2) works well for me.
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Thank you, Soooz:)The words were all familiar but I couldn’t have matched the author them either, Soooz. Hemingway did express it eloquently how difficult the words flow sometimes.
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Yup! He also said “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” 😁
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That sums it up 🙂
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I always loved those two quotes of King’s. Those are ones I rely on a lot.
I also LOVE #10, but #9 by Twain gives me goose bumps (the good kind). What a fun and inspirational post today, Denise!
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Stephen King has a lot of good quotes, but those two really hit home for me as well. Ten is a beautiful way to say show don’t tell and what a masterful way to point out how important word choice is in a story in nine. Glad you got goosebumps, the good kind from the quote. I know what you mean, so much wisdom. Thanks, Mae:)
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Number 8. is my favorite, but there all fabulous–as is this post! Thanks, Denise!
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Thanks, Bette:) Yes, to approach what we write not as a work of art or next best seller to to find an answer is such a different view and journey.
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What a fun and fabulous post, Denise! I love all these quotes. I think my favorite writing quote came from Winston Churchill. “Never, never, never, never give up!” Thank you for sharing these. And the matching game was fun!
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Thanks, Jan 🙂 That’s a good quote and one to apply to everything in life!
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Quotes 9 and 10 are favorites of mine. I think 9 was the first one I ever wrote as an inspiration to me when asked to list one, actually. There are so many good ones out there, I don’t know how you limited yourself to only ten. You showed great restraint.
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Making the point on the use of words using lightening and lightening bug is very insightful. I spend some time trying to find the right word. Good one to inspire you, Staci. I started out with twenty-five quotes and painful cut them down to ten:) I thought about going to five but couldn’t bring myself to do it.
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A very creative post today, Denise. I enjoyed the quiz and failed it miserably. Thanks for an enjoyable time. 😁
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Thanks, John 🙂 This is a quiz I wouldn’t have passed either, even though I know the quotes.
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Hahahaha. 😂
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Reblogged this on Jeanne Owens, author.
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Thank you for the reblog, Jeanne:) Much appreciated!
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You’re welcome 😁
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Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio and commented:
Check out this great post with a quote challenge from D.L. Finn via the Story Empire blog titled: Quotes and Writing
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The reblog is appreciated, Don:)Thank you!
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You’re welcome.
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Hi Denise, I enjoyed this post about quotes. I don’t particularly research or look for quotes by other people, but I do makes notes of powerful quotes from books I read.
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Thanks, Robbie:) That’s great you write the powerful quotes from books. I wish I did that. I love running across quotes on Instagram or other medias. They do motivate me.
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Great post, Denise! I love quote #10. I’m a big fan of quotes. I have a few books of them. I like to post them on my board in my classroom and have the students write their interpretation of them. It’s interesting to see the different perspectives. I’ve had some great discussions with my students that way. 🙂
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Show me the glint of light on glass is a beautiful reminder when writing and a great inspiration and encouragment to express beauty in images.
What a fantastic classroom project to interpret quotes, Yvette. Not only do they get some wisdom, but they get to decide what it means to them. I can imagine the wonderful discussions that come from that:)
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I got one right. I knew the Anton Chekov quote. I do love inspirational quotes. One that’s stuck with me is from Vincent Van Gogh, “If you hear a voice inside you say, ‘You cannot paint,’ then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced. Instead of the word paint, I substitute write.
I love encouraging posts like these, Denise.
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Yay for getting one right, Joan. I doubt I would have done that well:) That is such a great quote reminding us to show not tell.
What a winderful quote, write/paint to silence the inner critic! We could even make that voice a part of the story. Thanks, Joan! I’m big on finding ways to be inspired and encouraged.
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Great post, Denise. And fun guessing the author of the quote. I relate so well to J K Rowling’s words in number 6. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Reblogged this on: https://harmonykent.co.uk/quotes-and-writing/
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Thanks, Harmony:) They are all familiar words but I don’t always know who the belong to. I do love a good mystery and prefer not to have the magic taken away from the writing process.
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I’m a huge fan of quotes, Denise. I keep a log in my journal. You’re right, it’s nice to reflect on a favorite quote when we get stuck while writing. One of my favorites is
“Comparison is the thief of joy.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt
Even though I bombed the quiz, I loved this post! By the way, thank you again for your lovely review of my book. xo
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Good idea to keep a log in your journal of quotes, Jill:) Yhat is a very true and powerful quote. The moment I begin to compare myself it does remove all the joy. We are here to bring own own voice and joy into the world and I need a reminder of that once in a while. I wouldn’t have done well on the quiz even though they are all familiar to me. You are very welcome, I throughly enjoyed it!
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I love your focus on quotes today, Denise. What a great selection! I failed the quiz but enjoyed the exercise. I particularly related to Agatha Christie’s quote because I seem to write volumes when I’m doing mindless things like washing dishes or house cleaning. Thank you for the morning delight! 😊
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Thank you, Gwen 🙂 There was so many good ones out there it was hard to pick only a few. I admit I wouldn’t have passed the quiz either, even with the words being so familiar. A lot of good ideas come to me too doing those small chores or walking. They become meditative in a way and ideas surface. I have notes books in several places or I will email ideas to myself. It’s also a great way too solve plot issues. Glad you enjoyed this!
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Quotes are made of dense “thought matter”, to formulate a quote demands intelligence and consciousness when adapted. I am always impressed by quotes of a highly defined quality but equally enjoyed when they promote striking banalities.
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You make a wonderful point of how quotes are created. It does require intelligence and a focused consciousness to say so much in a few words.
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Good quotes are there to inspire, and I’m so glad they do…
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I am very glad they are there for us when we need that inspiration too 🙂
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