by Kimberly A. Smith

Created on: February 08, 2009

For writers, motivation can come from many sources. Witty quotations from other writers can often provide both a laugh and a source of comfort or motivation. These motivational one-liners come from a variety of sources, but all speak to the power of words and of writing.

"There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are." - W. Somerser Maugham

Nothing can be more frustrating for new writers than being told they are not following the "rules" of writing a novel - especially when it seems that every person they meet has a different set of rules! There is no "one size fits all" process for writing a novel. Everyone has to create their own rules based on their creative process and goals. You are not the only one that doesn't know what the rules of writing are, because they do not really exist.

"I have made this [letter] longer, because I have not had the time to make it shorter." - Blaise Pascal

For many writers, editing is the most irritating and frustrating part of writing. Cutting out words that you may love is a painful process for many. However, it is a process that is necessary to make the story stronger. Though editing and rewriting may take more time than writing the initial draft, know that it is time well spent. Your efforts will only bring you closer to publication.

"I was working on the proof of one of my poems all the morning, and took out a comma. In the afternoon I put it back again." - Oscar Wilde

When you are editing, you will ultimately get to a point where you are simply fiddling back and forth with minor details of your book. This is one of the surest signs that it is time to move on from this project and send it out into the world. If you have corrected every major point that you wanted to edit, it may be time to query.

"Don't use words too big for the subject. Don't say 'infinitely' when you mean 'very'; otherwise you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite." - C.S. Lewis

It is hard to comment on Lewis's quote because he has made his point so well. Using the right words for the subject matter is key in great writing. If you attempt to use intellectual words in a situation that does not warrant them, your writing will be less powerful. Write the words that are true for the story you want to tell.

"Any word you have to hunt for in a thesaurus is the wrong word. There are no exceptions to this rule." - Stephen King

A continuation of Lewis's quotation, King takes it further by banishing the thesaurus from his writing. Though occasionally using one to find a word that you have forgotten may be acceptable, writing should come from your own heart and style. Do not try to sound like someone else when you are writing. For most writers, using a thesaurus constantly will only make them sound pretentious later.

"The only reason for being a professional writer is that you can't help it." - Leo Rosten

Ask most writers why they write, and the first answer that they can come up with is a variation on "because I have to." Writing professionally rarely pays well and it can be tremendously frustrating. Writers deal with rejection daily. So why write? Write if there are stories inside you that have to be told. Write if there are words that you must get out and share with the world. Write because you really just can't help it.

To be a writer is to find motivation and inspiration in everything. These simple one-liners, and other famous quotes on writing, can provide comfort to novice and experienced writers alike who want someone to understand their creative process.

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