Now that November has begun, thousands of writers will be drinking copious amounts of coffee and typing away during the NaNoWriMo marathon! If you’ve taken on this challenge to write a 50,000-word novel in just thirty days, we here at Writer’s Relief want to offer you some support as well as our admiration. Here are thirteen author quotes to help you power through NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) when fatigue or writer’s block tries to slow you down. Post these around your workspace, tape them to your laptop, or tuck them into your notebook for whenever you need motivation or inspiration!
Author Quotes To Power You Through NaNoWriMo
“A word after a word after a word is power.” —Margaret Atwood
“Get it down. Take chances. It may be bad, but it’s the only way you can do anything really good.” —William Faulkner
“Close the door. Write with no one looking over your shoulder. Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It’s the one and only thing you have to offer.” —Barbara Kingsolver
“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.” —Louis L’Amour
“You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.” —Jodi Picoult
“Never write anything that does not give you great pleasure. Emotion is easily transferred from the writer to the reader.” —Joseph Joubert
“Write what disturbs you, what you fear, what you have not been willing to speak about. Be willing to be split open.” —Natalie Goldberg
“You don’t write about the horrors of war. No. You write about a kid’s burnt socks lying in the road.” —Richard Price
“Don’t bend; don’t water it down; don’t try to make it logical; don’t edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.” —Franz Kafka
“I don’t wait for moods. You accomplish nothing if you do that. Your mind must know it has got to get down to work.” —Pearl S. Buck
“If you wait for inspiration to write, you’re not a writer, you’re a waiter.” —Dan Poynter
“If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” —Toni Morrison
“Writing isn’t about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends. In the end, it’s about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life, as well. It’s about getting up, getting well, and getting over. Getting happy, okay? Getting happy.” —Stephen King
Along with staying motivated, it’s also important to practice self-care during NaNoWriMo in order to remain focused and energized. From staying hydrated to scheduling breaks, you’ll find great tips in this article: 5 Smart Self-Care Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo.
Question: What are your favorite quotes about writing?
Whenever I feel inferior about my writing, I turn to this quote to keep me motivated. For the first time, I’m participating in NaNoWriMo. It’s been tough, but I’m almost there.
I love the quotes because I can identify with them. I have written what I felt compelled to write, believing that my words have the power to help someone.