Chris Cooper Quotes

You do your best work when you're not conscious of yourself.

To create well I have to be in a good mood, happy and cool.

I try to manage my day by my circadian rhythms because the creativity is such an elusive thing, and I could easily just stomp over it doing my administrative stuff.

When you're working well, you don't do research. Whatever you need comes to you.

When a story is flying along, and I'm so into it that my 'real' world goes away, it can feel magical. I cease to be, my desk and computer ceases to be, and I am my character in his world. Psychologists call this a 'flow state,' and it's better than publication, money, awards, fame.

Most people have their best ideas when they take their minds away from problems they're trying to solve.

I was reading an article in the 'New York Times;' it talked about being in the zone, and being in the zone you're so focused that time ceases to exist. It's when you think, 'Oh, I've been doing this for five hours and didn't even know it.' It's the difference between hard work and going, '12 o'clock, not moving.'

You get the best out of people by allowing them to do their best work.

As soon as I finish meditating, I get a beautiful feeling of expanded consciousness. When I'm in this headspace I can make so much progress in my writing.

Where the heart is the mind works best.

It's kind of ridiculous that I find inspiration in just getting away from everything. But when you've gone through it, you realize that it's the enemy. It's a distraction from what you're really doing. You've got to keep moving. Like a shark.

I get so many ideas for songs, but I'm so seldom disciplined enough to sit down and crank them out.

I also find doing the mundane, everyday things in life has a calming, creative influence on me. Some of my best ideas come when I'm vacuuming or waiting in lines.

Weirdly, often the more I write, the more ideas I have.

I do my best work when I am in pain and turmoil.

I'm coming up with new music, I'm in the best shape of my life, I'm real sharp, my energy is strong. I look at it as: I'm just following the energy. That's how I sum that up.

When we clear the physical clutter from our lives, we literally make way for inspiration and 'good, orderly direction' to enter.

I always have music playing in my studio when I design. It really gets me in the mood and allows me to focus.

On a good day I write, all day.

My writing life is always a bit disorganized. It's hard for me to get going, but sometimes, once I begin, I go like the wind.

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

You should always be well and bright, for so you do your best work; and you have so much beautiful work to do. The world needs it, and you must give it!

When things are going well, I can't write fast enough to keep up with my mind. Writing walks, speech runs and talk flies. Other times, though, it's like fishing.

The best part of one's life is the working part, the creative part. Believe me, I love to succeed... However, the real spiritual and emotional excitement is in the doing.

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.