Hey, writers—need a pep talk to get you through another round of rewrites and rejections? To help you power through the hard times and work toward your ultimate goal (getting published!), check out these inspirational monologues from iconic movies.

“Great moments are born from great opportunity.” – Herb Brooks, Miracle (2004)

“If you want something, go get it. Period.” – Christopher Gardner, The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

“Carpe diem, seize the day, boys, make your lives extraordinary.” – John Keating, Dead Poets Society (1989)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulR2T8RUHyk

“I won’t let you fail.” – Erin Gruwell, Freedom Writers (2007)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eoz-YXbHJXo

“It ain’t about how hard you hit; it is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much can you take and keep moving forward!” – Rocky Balboa, Rocky Balboa (2006)

“Being perfect is not about that scoreboard out there. It’s not about winning. It’s about you and your relationship with yourself, your family, and your friends. Being perfect is about being able to look your friends in the eye and know that you didn’t let them down because you told them the truth.” – Coach Gary Gaines, Friday Night Lights (2004)

“You’ll have bad times, but it’ll always wake you up to the good stuff you weren’t paying attention to.” – Sean, Good Will Hunting (1997)

“It is with passion, courage of conviction, and strong sense of self that we take our next steps into the world, remembering that first impressions are not always correct.” – Elle Woods, Legally Blonde (2001) 

“Inside each and every one of us is one true authentic swing… Somethin’ we was born with… Somethin’ that’s ours and ours alone… Somethin’ that can’t be taught to ya or learned… Somethin’ that got to be remembered… Over time the world can rob us of that swing… It get buried inside us under all our wouldas and couldas and shouldas… Some folk even forget what their swing was like.” – Bagger Vance, The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000)

QUESTION: Have any other movie monologues inspired you as a writer?