Steven Pressfield Quotes

I need complete silence when I write.

I think we've all been in the middle of doing something we cared about, when someone coming in the room and saying 'hello' was annoying. I personally can understand that, as someone who tries to create.

I don't listen to music when I write - I find it distracting.

I never listen to music when I write. It's too much of a distraction.

I'm not going to hang out with celebrities, I'm not going to parties. I have two songs due for Moana next week, and I'm going to go and spend some time with Maui and Moana in the ocean, in my mind.

Okay, everyone please be completely quiet, because I can literally hear a whisper, and it’ll throw off my stream of consciousness, and when I get my stream of consciousness going that’s when I give the best, illest quotes. Literally, a whisper can throw it off.

I have a very strict regimen of showing up at my desk at a certain hour with my cup of green tea. It is very quiet. I don't like having a lot of atmosphere around.

I never think at all when I write. Nobody can do two things at the same time and do them both well.

The most difficult thing about painting is the self-discipline. When I finish a job, I give myself a few days, but then I have to discipline myself quite fiercely if I want to do some painting that's worthwhile. Otherwise, you're just doodling. It's much easier when you're just told what you have to do.

Night time really is the best time to work. All the ideas are there to be yours because everyone is asleep.

If I'm interrupted, it's just a minor inconvenience, but not a disaster, because it's easy to get back where I was: that is, the paint has not changed consistency; the light has not moved.

Composing demands a degree of isolation.

I write best late at night, when everyone in the house has gone to bed. There's something magical about that late night silence that appeals to me.

When I write I find a quiet place.

I can do a book in three months if I spend all day, seven days a week at it and, in fact, I work better that way.

I'm very detail oriented. Everything that takes a lot of dedication and creativity I do in the morning when there is light and I'm really concentrated.

Decide where and when you want to write. I like space, and silence is an inspiration to me.

There's nothing romantic about my work... I don't believe in inspiration. I believe that you get to your desk, you stay there, you work, you think of nothing else. You write and you write, and in the end, you write something good.

I'm a believer that you shouldn't really talk about the drawing until you're done with the drawing.

I start any work the same way. I start a rehearsal with silence.

I'm always amazed by writers who say, 'Oh you know I had a half hour so I sat down and wrote a little bit.' I just need a real big chunk of time to sit down and focus. That's my process.

I'm not one of those who can listen to music and write. I need the door closed. Windows shut. Facing the wall. No birds tweeting, views of nature, and so forth.

When I'm working, I'm insufferable because I get stuck with myself, and suddenly I become obsessive, thinking about how to make something better.

I take breaks now and then. But when I work, I get things done at a fast pace.

I can lock myself for months in the editing suite with no noise or distractions. It's fascinating to see the film taking shape.