Post: Lessons to be learned from these famous quotes

quotes

There’s likely not a writer alive who has not, at some point, experienced frustration in the task. People attend workshops and tap into myriad resources to help them overcome “writer’s block” or to improve their skills in various ways. If there’s one quality that’s essential to being a writer, it’s “perseverance.” Some people like to call it “stick-to-it-iveness.” In short, you can’t give up. If you want to be a writer, you must keep writing. 

We can learn a lot from the famous quotes of master-writers and orators. There’s often a pearl of wisdom in a sentence or two, which can provide encouragement and support as we tarry on in our writing projects, whether on a professional or personal level. As you’re reading the quotes we’re about to share in this post, you might consider starting a journal and writing down the lessons you learn when you come across ideas that resonate with your writing spirit. 

Famous quotes from Winston Churchill to inspire writers

Winston Churchill served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom for two separate terms. He used to say that becoming a successful writer is a life-long task, and the key persistence. The way Churchill sums up success may inspire you to keep trying, even if you have received numerous rejection letters. Churchill said, “Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm.” 

If you can do this, you’re already successful! Publication is not the determinant of your success. It might be one of the goals you have set for a life-long, successful journey as a writer. Next time you’re struggling to put your ideas on paper or a publisher says that your book isn’t a good fit, think of Churchill and enthusiastically keep moving forward!

Chicken Soup for the Soul author says to reject rejection

The “Chicken Soup” stories have encouraged, uplifted and inspired millions of readers throughout the world since 1993. Author of the series, Jack Canfield, advises writers to “reject rejection.” In fact, Canfield says, “If someone says NO, just say, NEXT!” Canfield says that he wouldn’t be where he is today if he had given up after receiving 100 rejections from publishers. Before the first edition of Chicken Soup for the Soul became available on the market, Canfield had been told, “No,” 144 times. 

Even Ernest Hemingway’s writing was rejected

Hemingway is one of the most famous authors of all time, with best-sellers like “A Farewell to Arms,” “Old Man and the Sea,” and “For Whom the Bell Tolls.” Hemingway admitted that facing rejection was hard to do on an empty stomach. However, he encouraged writers to take a unique approach. When a publisher would tell him that his work did not fit its editorial needs, Hemingway would simply think to himself, “Your rejection slip does not meet MY editorial needs.” 

Keep these famous quotes in mind as you work to improve your writing skills, especially if you hope to become a published author someday. Be persistent, persevere and keep moving forward, no matter how many times your stories get rejected. The next submission might be the one that hits the bullseye!