Grace Paley Quotes

I write from my imagination, not from what I've read in books or seen on TV or to make money. I wrote from an idea I was passionate about.

If you always dreamed of writing a novel or a memoir, and you used to love to write, and were pretty good at it, will it break your heart if it turns out you never got around to it? If you wake up one day at eighty, will you feel nonchalant that something always took precedence over a daily commitment to discovering your creative spirit? If not--if this very thought fills you with regret--then what are you waiting for?

Love the writing, love the writing, love the writing... the rest will follow.

The thing about writing is that if you have the impulse, you will find the time.

I wrote as a teenager, and once I started acting, you know, you're learning lines, you're doing other people's words, it takes up a lot of time. Especially if you're dedicated to what you're doing, you're trying to do a decent job at it. But I would have said to myself, "Write more, please."

You have to surrender to your mediocrity, and just write. Because it's hard, really hard, to write even a crappy book. But it's better to write a book that kind of sucks rather than no book at all, as you wait around to magically become Faulkner. No one is going to write your book for you and you can't write anybody's book but your own.

I don't listen to music for fun. I ain't got enough time for fun! I'm always busy writing my own music. I don't try to compete or see what other people are doing.

For me, writing is the only thing that passes the three tests of metier: (1) when I'm doing it, I don't feel that I should be doing something else instead: (2) it produces a sense of accomplishment and, nce in a while, pride; and (3) it's frightening.

I feel a passion for what we're trying to do.I mean, why does somebody who's old who's a writer keep writing? Because that's who they are.

Keep me up till five because all your stars are out, and for no other reason…Oh dare to do it Buddy! Trust your heart. You’re a deserving craftsman. It would never betray you. Good night. I’m feeling very much over-excited now, and a little dramatic, but I think I’d give almost anything on earth to see you writing a something, an anything, a poem, a tree, that was really and truly after your own heart.

The main thing about writing is... writing. Sitting your butt down in the chair and doing the work.

Anything that I write comes from the soul.

Poetry was the first step, and from the age of 18, there was nothing else I wanted to do.

Every single day, I write something new and record it.

The way you get better is putting words on the page and getting them behind you.

There's actually nothing interesting about me except what I write.

I love writing. I've pursued it with a passion.

Better that you should take the chance of trying something that is close to your heart, you think is what you want to write, and if they do not publish it, put it in your drawer. But maybe another day will come and you will find a place to put that.

I think I'm able to do so much because writing is what I love to do. So, often when I have free time, I choose to write and edit.

Because I'm the author of my screenplays I know what I'm looking for. It's true that I can be stubborn in demanding that I get what I want, but it's also a question of working with patience and love.

I read less of everything now. With only fond memories of others' work, it will be interesting to give my own journal writing a try now.

I didn't originally intend on writing a book. I started writing during the day to feel like I was accomplishing something creative.

Being a writer involves writing. You've got to commit to sitting down and writing instead of Xbox or Netflix.

I always thought it'd be fun to write something, but it never was an ambition of mine, per se.

I'm addicted to creating and writing.