Gloria Naylor Quotes

I say what's in my heart, and I do it in my concerts.

I have to live authentically at all times. And that's part of what makes me an artist. I'm not scared to do that.

I decided to put my money where my mouth was and make films that I believe in. So even if I failed, I failed on my terms.

Being a leader for me is about having the courage to speak the truth, and live the truth, despite attempts to silence our thoughts, feelings, and past experiences.

I'm always looking for something that's real and that's got meat on it. I think it's artistic suicide if you're too vain, or if you're afraid to play ugly. I would never fall for that.

Putting myself out there knowing I can be criticized - it's ironic, but to me, that's the most empowering thing.

I know being an open, honest, outspoken person gets me into trouble all the time, but I don't know how to be any other way.

All of my favorite artists who inspired me were never afraid to be uncool and never afraid to wear their hearts on their sleeves - no matter how much flak they took for it.

I'm not afraid to look stupid and I'm not afraid to look like I'm trying too hard.

A lot of artists are afraid to be themselves and afraid to tell people what it really is.

You have to dare to totally be yourself and go 100% with your heart and guts.

I've won; I've lost. I'm at the point where I do what I believe in and, win or lose, believe in what I do.

I knew right from the beginning that if I was going to write a book, I would write my version of the truth and then put it out there for people to decide if they will accept it or hate me.

I decided to tell the truth even if it meant being pointed at.

I think it's good to be a little more fearless in saying what you feel. In not being scared of the repercussions of that.

Write what you think is good, is the whole of the law.

Growing up, I wasn't as comfortable expressing myself as I am now, and I think that's why I chose acting: because it's acceptable to have your feelings. It's a place that they want you to feel. Whereas in life, growing up, it was 'Be quiet!' and 'Keep it to yourself.'

The thing about a pick-up line is, even if it works, then what? I just figure you unapologetically be yourself, and if it works, cool.

I was fooling everyone by surrounding myself with funny people. But then I put myself out there - writing my own sketches, going on stage with nobody surrounding me - and for some reason people were still laughing.

In all the writers I admire, the common detonator is their courage to walk naked.

I had something I was trying to say and sometimes the message is an easy transmission and sometimes it's a difficult one but I love the power of saying it so I'm gonna do it whether it's hard or easy.

There's a lot of risk in putting what you suspect you really are into your music.

There's something liberating about not pretending. Dare to embarrass yourself. Risk.

I've been surrounded by women my whole life, so obviously I love fashion... But I'd like to do my own thing and focus on what I love. If people accept it, they accept it. If they don't, they don't.

The reception for 'Enemy?' I don't care. No matter what other people think, it was important for me. I will stand for that movie, even if I stand alone.