"It's impossible to discourage the real writers; they don't give a damn what you say." Sinclair Lewis

Monday, January 7, 2013

A Quote by Samuel Johnson

by Sue Anne Hodge

As writers we know how lonely the writing life can be. How frustrating. I found a quote by Dr. Samuel Johnson that helps me: "Sir, he who would earn his bread writing books, must have the assurance of a duke, the wit of a courtier, and the guts of a burglar."

I especially love the burglar part. Writers do steal ideas for there are only so many themes. We do steal snippets of overheard conversation, then tweak those words to fit a particular scene. I know at times I do steal a facade of assurance to overcome fear of a blank screen, tricking my muse until my own courage takes over. Guess if I were a real burglar, though, I'd be a cat burglar ... I do like cats. Now writers take this advise and get busy putting on your cloak of assurance, wit, and guts.