Quotessence
Home / Quotes / Quote by William Shakespeare

Quote by William Shakespeare

Author

William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare (1564 - April 23, 1616) was one of the greatest poets of the English Renaissance, renowned for his dramatic works. His plays spanned a variety of genres, including tragedy, comedy, and history, and have had a profound impact on literature worldwide. more

You May Also Like

“E.L. Doctorow said once said that 'Writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can see only as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.' You don't have to see where you're going, you don't have to see your destination or everything you will pass along the way. You just have to see two or three feet ahead of you. This is right up there with the best advice on writing, or life, I have ever heard.”

WayWritingSaidTwoWholeNightThreeNovelHeardFeetAdviceCarDrivingDestinationBest AdviceHeadlights
Author:Anne Lamott
Create image

“Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life, and it is the main obstacle between you and a shitty first draft. I think perfectionism is based on the obsessive belief that if you run carefully enough, hitting each stepping-stone just right, you won't have to die. The truth is that you will die anyway and that a lot of people who aren't even looking at their feet are going to do a whole lot better than you, and have a lot more fun while they're doing it.”

PeopleIfsThinkingWritingFirstsEnoughWholeRunningDiesBeliefFunVoiceEnemyFeetTruth IsStonesObstaclesWhole LifeInsaneHittingTough TimesBetter Than YouPerfectionismObsessiveOppressorsStepping Stones
Book:Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life
Create image

“If you don't believe in God, it may help to remember this great line of Geneen Roth's: that awareness is learning to keep yourself company. And then learn to be more compassionate company, as if you were somebody you are fond of and wish to encourage. I doubt that you would read a close friend's early efforts and, in his or her presence, roll your eyes and snicker. I doubt that you would pantomime sticking your finger down your throat. I think you might say something along the lines of, 'Good for you. We can work out some of the problems later, but for now, full steam ahead!”

IfsThinkingBelieveMayHelpingProblemMightEyeRememberWishLinesEffortCompanyDoubtAwarenessFingersDon't BelieveWork OutBelieve In GodThroatCompassionateSteamClose FriendsPantomimeSnickers
Book:Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life
Create image

“The problem is acceptance, which is something we're taught not to do. We're taught to improve uncomfortable situations, to change things, alleviate unpleasant feelings. But if you accept the reality that you have been given- that you are not in a productive creative period- you free yourself to begin filling up again.”

IfsHas BeensFeelingsProblemRealityGivenSituationAcceptingCreativeAcceptanceTaughtPeriodsUncomfortableProductiveFillingWriter's BlockAlleviateFree YourselfFilling UpUncomfortable Situations
Book:Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life
Create image

“The society to which we belong seems to be dying or is already dead. I don't mean to sound dramatic, but clearly the dark side is rising. Things could not have been more odd and frightening in the Middle Ages. But the tradition of artists will continue no matter what form the society takes. And this is another reason to write: people need us, to mirror for them and for each other without distortion-not to look around and say, 'Look at yourselves, you idiots!,' but to say, 'This is who we are.”

PeopleNeedsWritingLooksMeanHas BeensMatterReasonSeemsAgeFormArtistSoundSidesDarkMiddleDyingTraditionMirrorsNo Matter WhatIdiotOddDramaticRisingWho We AreFrighteningMiddle AgesDark SideDistortion
Book:Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life
Create image