David Morrell Quotes

I thought I was clever enough to write as well as these people and I didn't realize that there is something called originality and your own voice.

Bernard Shaw said that when you copy yourself, you know you've got style. And I feel that if you can write like you write, then you are true to yourself. And it's not an easy thing to do - it's a disgustingly difficult thing to do.

Don't imitate. Write what you know about, that has to be your goal.

It's hard work to find your own voice and not to copycat anything.

I feel like the point of being an artist is to have your own voice: to do it the way you would do it and not the way anyone else would do it. If you're a strong enough writer, then that voice is going to come out all the time, and I can't stop it from coming out, no matter what I do.

The most original thing a writer can do is write like himself. It is also his most difficult task.

Writing is not a competitive sport. Everyone that writes has his or her own voice.

If you copy then it is not self-expression.

Even if you try to copy a film shot by shot, you still can't. It's still your own film.

I couldn't imitate anyone if I wanted to.

The one thing that you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision. So write and draw and build and play and dance and live as only you can.

Don't try to guess what it is people want and give it to them. Don't ask for a show of hands. Try your best to write what you like, what you think your friends would like and what you think your father would like and then cross your fingers... The most valuable thing you have is your own voice.

I can only say that I myself wrote always as I wished, without a tremendous desire to find the latest thing possible.

I would like to be able to write in my own voice.

Don't copy another writer's style, because that is not authentic, and that's how it will sound. You develop your style over your whole life and through countless influences. Don't impose something artificial.

When everyone starts sounding the same, that's when you know the words and phrases have become clichés. Instead of speaking in clichés, I encourage people just to be themselves, let their passion burn brightly, and go work on things they love spending their time on.

I didn't want to feel like I was mimicking or copying someone else's performance, whether it's subconscious or not.

What I aspire to do, and what I try the hardest to do, is write stuff that's very personal in its way. I figure I can only say things the way I say them, so I'm trying to do something that is kind of anti-generic.

I've never really tried to copy anyone; I like to have my own style.

No one can write like Vallejo and not sound like a fraud. He's just too much himself and not you.

The only thing I really recommend, if you're starting out in stand-up is to not try to copy anybody else. You can be influenced by people. I was influenced by Steve Martin and Bob Newhart and Woody Allen, but I never tried to be someone else. I always tried to be myself. And the reason people are successful is they're unique.

All writers are mimics, and I'm not interested in picking up somebody else's style or voice.

My style is all to myself.

Don't try to write what other people are writing - write what is true to you.

I don't chase what I hear on the radio. I try not to compete with anybody.