17 Inspiring Quotes to Motivate Writers and Editors
I’m honored to have welcomed many professional writers and editors to
Writer CEO this year.
Following a tradition started last year, I’ve selected a few inspirational quotes that can help motivate us all. As you think about your goals for next year, let these words spur you on.
If you’d like to read the quotes from last year, check them out here:
• 12 Quotes to Inspire a New Year of Writing and Editing
“When you write well, readers take notice.
When readers like what you write, they keep coming back for more of your work.
You have to be consistent and continuously write.
If you stop publishing, readers forget you. Don’t let that happen.”
~Filipino American Author, Elizabeth Ann Quirino
“When it comes to signing contracts, two things have served me well: following directions and communicating.
It sounds too simple to matter, but when I queried my agent I was only the second author in six months to follow his submission guidelines.”
~Editor Karin Beery
“You have to be entirely clear on your goals,
your motivation, your reason for doing the work, and you have to be prepared to work a lot as you build your business up.
Writing is definitely not always the glamorous work-in-a-pretty-coffee-shop situation, but for those of us that are able to make a living from it, it’s still a dream come true.”
~Registered Nurse Turned Freelance Writer Chaunie Brusie
“Be honest with yourself about where you’re starting out.
You might have more experience than you think!
Take stock of your experience, even if it doesn’t seem relevant to writing, and use the most appealing traits you find as selling points.”
~Freelance Health & Wellness Writer Jeanna Paden
“I see social media profiles that are active for a short time then become dormant.
Without maintaining an active presence, your profile is lost in the mire.
If you aren’t busy keeping your name in front of your followers, will they remember you when looking for their next book?”
~Author’s Assistant Linda Dunn
“I maintain that speaking to readers directly is the most powerful way to reach them.
That means being willing to do speaking engagements, give presentations at conferences and other venues relevant to your book, and generally get out there and meet with readers.”
~Author and Publicist Paula Margulies
“Finding your niche, whether you are a writer or editor, is crucial.
It’s very tempting to want to advertise your services to the widest possible audience but the most successful businesses have very specific areas of expertise or at least stick to two or three within a similar field.”
~Writer and Editor Wendy Ogilvie
“Editing is not about fixing grammar and spelling.
To me, it’s about making your message heard. Do you need to fix grammar and spelling to do that? Yes. But there’s a lot more to it. Sometimes you have to dig real deep to uncover the value of your story.”
~Book Editor Adina Edelman
“The only way to keep a writing career alive is to be persistent and to KEEP WRITING.
Put aside a few hours every day to write; shut off your cell phone, ignore the lure of social media and focus on your writing.
As the old saying goes, practice makes perfect. If it’s your passion, never give it up.”
~Humor Author Marcia Kester Doyle
“Don’t be a wuss.
This is a really hard industry to get started in, but not because there aren’t clients. There are. There’s great work out there. But there are also other great writers out there.
If you’re not willing to spend a few years cutting your teeth on projects that seem beneath you, then you’ll never earn the skills you need to outshine your competition and get the good stuff.
So when the hours feel long, the money feels crappy or the work feels unfulfilling, ask yourself: Do I want to be a writer? If you do, always keep going. You’ll get there.”
~Freelance Writer Sarah Moore
“I am a firm believer if you want to do something, then learn from others further down the road than you.
Investing time in yourself will only help you guide others behind you. Become a master at what you are excellent in doing.
~Writer, Speaker, and Writing Coach Joyce Glass
“Stop waiting to be picked.
Choose yourself. Don’t wait for permission to get your work out in front of people. Always work to get better but stop waiting for someone to tell you that you’re good enough.
Just do it.”
~Freelance Journalist, Blogger, & Entrepreneur Javacia Harris Bowser
“Go to a public place like a coffee shop or a restaurant and listen to the conversations around you.
Don’t just note what people are saying but how they are saying it. Some people talk in idioms, some people are sparse with their words, and others can’t seem to shut their mouths. Some people deal with conflict head on while others get defensive or make jokes or slip in a passive-aggressive response.
Pay attention to these nuances and use them as you’re developing your characters’ personalities.”
~Psychologist and Freelance Writer Melissa Burkley
“Sometimes, people get it into their heads that all they want to write is novels—specifically sci-fi novels—specifically robot-cowboy sci-fi novels (for example).
Niching down is all well and good, once you’ve developed your chops as a professional writer. But in the beginning, you should try all different kinds of writing, and take as many paying jobs as you can get. You’ll develop a reputation as a professional, learn the ropes of the business, and explore the many ways to make money as writer that you might not have known about.”
~Professional Writer and Editor D.R. McElroy
“For years, I felt like I didn’t deserve my successes—that I just “got lucky”
….or that I didn’t really know what I was doing…..
This mindset was deeply damaging to my confidence—I even squandered years trying to establish myself in a local editors’ group, needlessly offering my knowledge and expertise to “prove myself” to them.
Once I realized that impostor syndrome is a real thing—and that I didn’t need some form of external validation to see my self-worth—I’ve been more productive and much happier.”
~Book Editor Kristen Hamilton
“The only thing I would really say to do to make your business easier is to keep writing.
If business is slow, start a blog. Write your own book. Write pitch articles or short stories. Keep a journal. Writing is a skill that, if you step away from it for a while, becomes rusty.
If you’re serious about writing as a profession, it’s important to write (and read) as often as you can, as it’s the only way to maintain and improve your skills.”
~Freelance Writer Helen Jones
“When I started my business, I never dreamed of today—eight years down the road.
I was just trying to get through each day.
Eight years later, I’m still trying to get through each day, but I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
~Writer, Marketing Professional, and Social Media Strategist Jaime Shine
Featured image by Jon Tyson on Unsplash.
