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Now we know why some writers drink!

December 23, 2023May 9, 2025 336

There is a stereotype out there about writers. They’re talented and frustrated and hit the bottle way too often. Maybe the reason some talented writers are frustrated and drink to excess is because of what they’re asked to write. Example:

Why Writers Drink

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Asking a working writer what he thinks about critics is like asking a lamppost how it feels about dogs.

Christopher Hampton

The reason 99% of all stories written are not bought by editors is very simple. Editors never buy manuscripts that are left on the closet shelf at home.

John Campbell

It is perfectly okay to write garbage — as long as you edit brilliantly.

C. J. Cherryh

Writing has laws of perspective, of light and shade, just as painting does, or music. If you are born knowing them, fine. If not, learn them. Then rearrange the rules to suit yourself.

Truman Capote Quote

A blank piece of paper is God’s way of telling us how hard it to be God.

Sidney Sheldon

Reading and weeping opens the door to one’s heart, but writing and weeping opens the window to one’s soul.

M. K. Simmons

My own experience is that once a story has been written, one has to cross out the beginning and the end. It is there that we authors do most of our lying.

Anton Chekhov

Substitute “damn” every time you’re inclined to write “very”; your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.

Mark Twain

My aim is to put down what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way I can tell it.

Ernest Hemingway

Have something to say, and say it as clearly as you can. That is the only secret.

Matthew Arnold

Don’t annoy an author, you’ll end up in their book and you won’t look good.

Lawrence Wray

You may be able to take a break from writing, but you won’t be able to take a break from being a writer.

Stephen Leigh

You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.

Jodi Picoult

Writers aren’t people exactly. Or, if they’re any good, they’re a whole lot of people trying so hard to be one person.

F. Scott Fitzgerald

The character that lasts is an ordinary guy with some extraordinary qualities.

Raymond Chandler

To me, movies and music go hand in hand. When I’m writing a script, one of the first things I do is find the music I’m going to play for the opening sequence.

Quentin Tarantino

Read a thousand books and your words will flow like a river.

Lisa See

The first chapter sells the book; the last chapter sells the next book.

Mickey Spillane

Just don’t be boring!

Robert Liebmann

The road to ignorance is paved with good editors.