Best advice & firsts Quotes | Short & Famous Sayings

“Don't be pretentious is my first advice to young writers. This is the big problem - just because you're getting an MFA doesn't mean you have to write for the Academy. Be true to your personality. Don't temper your personality down with words. Don't build defensive fortresses around yourself with words - words are your friends.”

Writing Firsts Mean Problem Bigs Young Advice Personality Being True Temper Academy Pretentious Big Problems Fortresses Young Writers

Author:Gary Shteyngart

“My first ten years in Hollywood were really tough. I'd be coaching friends who came to me for acting advice, and then they'd make it before I did. I'd still be helping them while they were on movie sets and I had four lines on a TV show.”

Years Firsts Stills Helping Shows Lines Acting Four Advice Tvs Ten Tough Hollywood Coaching Tv Shows Movie Sets

Author:Michael Pena

“My biggest advice for girls - and this is something that I wish I could have known when I was younger - is to have thick skin. It's something that you definitely develop when you get older, but when I first started, I was so obsessed with pleasing everybody. I wanted everybody to like me and to like my songs.”

Firsts Wanted Song Girl Wish Known Advice Skins Like Me Obsessed Thick Thick Skin

Author:Kate Voegele

“The best writing advice I had was [in] ‘Heinlein’s Rules for Writers’ by (American science fiction author) Robert A. Heinlein. His first rule is that you must write, and I was already doing that, but his second rule is, ‘You must finish what you write,’ and that had a big impact on me.”

Writing Firsts Bigs Fiction Advice Impact Science Fiction Writing Advice Big Impact Robert Heinlein

Author:George R. R. Martin

“My urgent advice to you would be, not only always to think first of America, but always, also, to think first of humanity. You do not love humanity if you seek to divide humanity into jealous camps. Humanity can be welded together only by love, by sympathy, by justice, not by jealousy and hatred. I am sorry for the man who seeks to make personal capital out of the passions of his fellowmen. He has lost touch with the ideal of America. For America was created to unit mankind.”

Ifs Thinking Men Firsts Would Be Together America Humanity Passion Lost Justice Advice Mankind He Man Ideals Hatred Sorry Jealous Divides Camps Units Urgent I Am Sorry Am Sorry

Author:Woodrow Wilson

“My first advice (on how not to grow old) would be to choose you ancestors carefully.”

Firsts Would Be Age Grows Advice Ancestor Ice Age

Author:Bertrand Russell

“When I first got an agent, they gave me some advice--lose weight.”

Firsts Loses Advice Weight Agents Lose Weight

Author:Jennifer Aniston

“Advice, First Law of: The correct advice to give is the advice that is desired.”

Giving Firsts Law Advice

Author:Paul Dickson

“Accept good advice gracefully - as long as it doesn't interfere with what you intended to do in the first place.”

Firsts Long Accepting Grace Advice Interfere Good Advice

Author:Gene Brown

“I never did, nor do I believe I ever shall, give advice to a woman who is setting out on a matrimonial voyage; first, because I never could advise one to marry without her own consent; and, secondly, I know it is to no purpose to advise her to refrain when she has obtained it. A woman very rarely asks an opinion or requires advice on such an occasion, till her resolution is formed; and then it is with the hope and expectation of obtaining a sanction, not that she means to be governed by your disapprobation, that she applies.”

Source: Writings

“My first piece of career advice is find your gifting. Find the thing that you are skilled at and figure out if you can make a living doing it.”

Ifs Firsts Careers Pieces Advice Figures Career Advice Gifting

Author:Michelle Singletary

“They first condemn that first advised the ill.”

Firsts Advice Ill

Book:The Poetical Works of John Dryden

Source: The Poetical Works of John Dryden

“In a crisis, give help first and then advice.”

Giving Firsts Helping Reality Advice Crisis

Author:Aesop

“Food is an implement of magic, and only the most coldhearted rationalist could squeeze the juices of life out of it and make it bland. In a true sense, a cookbook is the best source of psychological advice and the kitchen the first choice of room for a therapy of the world.”

World Firsts Choices Rooms Magic Advice Food Source Cooking Psychological Therapy Kitchen Culinary Juice Bland Cookbook

Author:Thomas More

“Many years ago when I first started my career Maradona told me "to enjoy and play as you know", and that's stayed with me ever since and is the best advice I've been given.”

Knows Years Firsts Play Given Enjoy Careers Advice Years Ago Best Advice Maradona

Author:Lionel Messi

“This is something that I do consider to be good advice: I took my first paycheck and I put it in the goddamn bank. Then I took my second paycheck and put it in the goddamn bank. I had seen the roller coaster of my father's career - top of the world, then unemployed - and I never wanted to take a job because I needed money.”

World Firsts Wanted Jobs Father Money Careers Advice Needed Be Good Unemployed Good Advice Paychecks Roller Coaster Coasters Top Of The World

Author:Joss Whedon

“Giving free advice is a sad waste of effort. In the first place, no man will act upon it unless he is already inclined to do so. Secondly, when a man lays his case before you, the idea that he is asking your advice is a polite fabrication. He merely is suggesting that he is doing so, while as a fact his real object is to acquaint you with his personal activity. He wants to talk to somebody, being a natural gossip or gadder, and he plays upon your propensity for "giving advice" in order to get an audience.”

“You've learned the lessons well. You first learned to live on less than you earn. Next you learned to seek advice from those who are competent. Lastly, you've learned to make gold work for you.”

Firsts Wells Next Advice Lessons Gold Competent Richest Man In Babylon

Author:George S. Clason

“As a writer, you have to first of all write what you want to. Listen to advice, by all means, but don't get bogged down in it.”

Want Writing Firsts Mean Advice What You Want

Author:Joe Abercrombie

“I first met Hanson over in Japan and they gave me some great advice about the fans and they seem real down to earth. They're great.”

Firsts Real Seems Earth Fans Advice Mets Japan Down To Earth Great Advice

Author:Meredith Brooks

“The Gospel of the army is cunning, as of all other human activities. The wisdom of the snake under the meekness of the sheep is what wins out. The first Commandment is--never let them get anything on you-- The second: Graft--get privileges others haven't got--worm yourself into confidence The Third--seem neat and prosperous--as if you had money in the bank”

Source: Travel books and other writings, 1916-1941

“The most important step of all is the first step. Start something! What if that idea you have in the back of your head is a really good one, one that might end up helping tens of thousands of people? You owe it to the world ot act. Or maybe it will help only a few people: The same advice applies. If you don't do it, you are missing out on something big, and so are the people who could have been helped.”

“I desire before I leave the world, as my best legacy to my family,, my serious, solemn advice, to make choice of my God for their God. He has been my father's God, and the God of your Mother's predecessors. I solemnly charge you to make it your first care to seek after peace with God, and being reconciled, to make it your study to please God in all things.”

World Firsts Has Beens War Care Mother Desire Choices Father Study Advice Serious Please All Things My Family Legacy Solemn Predecessors Peace With God

Author:Robert Dabney

“A couple of pieces of advice for the kids who are serious about writing are: first of all, to read everything you can get your hands on so you can become familiar with different forms of writing: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, journalism. That's very important. And also keep a journal. Not so much, because it's good writing practice. Although it is, but more because it's a wonderful source of story starters.”

“I don't know much about the music business, but for just general advice for someone trying to create things, as simple as this sounds, I think the best thing you can do is constantly try to improve upon your work. Always focus on that first and foremost, and leave everything else (marketing, image) completely secondary. Obviously, easier said than done when you're trying to make a living, but if you can move along those lines and earnestly try to make things that you really enjoy it can only benefit you in the long run.”

Ifs Thinking Knows Trying Firsts Long Said Done Running Moving Enjoy Sound Can Do Lines Simple Focus Advice Easier Benefits Marketing Best Things Long Runs Music Business Easier Said Than Done

Author:Joe Rogan

“In marriage, if you're a guy, learn two phrases. One is "yes, dear" and the other is "honey, you're right." Be patient. Be good friends first. And stick together. You gotta work at it. It's not all a honeymoon, it's not all flowers and roses, but if you're friends and partners and committed, you'll be okay. And everybody's got advice for you - don't listen.”

Ifs Firsts Two Together Guy Advice Flower Okay Rose Sticks Patient Dear Committed Be Good Partners Phrases Honey Good Friend Be Patient Honeymoon Yes Dear

Author:Denzel Washington

“That's the best advice I can give - when you're trying to write a comedy, first write a drama, and then make it funny.”

Giving Writing Trying Firsts I Can Comedy Advice Drama Best Advice

Author:Jason Segel

“I treat people who write me the way my friends and I all treat each other when we go to each other for advice, which is sometimes with supreme cruelty. I think that's what helps the advice sink in. If somebody comes at you with both barrels, the first shot opens your head, and the second shot allows the advice to get lodged inside.”

People Ifs Thinking Way Writing Firsts Sometimes Helping Advice Shots My Friends Treats Supreme Cruelty Barrels

Author:Dan Savage

“My first advice would be to read, read, read, which sounds interesting coming in a digital age, but it's so much easier to listen to a poem than it is to sit down and actually read it and to hear it in your head and that is something that every poet or aspiring poet needs to be able to do, I think to hear it in their head.”

Thinking Needs Firsts Would Be Age Able Sound Interesting Advice Poet Easier Down And Digital Digital Age

Author:Rita Dove

“The advice you give to young directors for sure is to go out and become some version of a successful movie actor. Do that first and say yes to people like Terrence Malick and Clint Eastwood and Woody Allen when they come and offer you movies. It's a great front row seat to filmmaking.”

People Giving Firsts Young Actors Successful Advice Fronts Offers Directors Versions Seats Filmmaking Woody Movie Actors

Author:Sean Penn

“I think the best advice I ever got about acting was from my dad, which was, 'If they don't buy the fish on the first toss, throw it back in the wagon and go to the second house.' Which is like an old Jewish fishmongers' story about how you become a successful fish monger.”

Ifs Thinking Firsts Stories House Acting Successful Advice Dad My Dad Fishes Toss Best Advice Wagons

Author:Lin Shaye

“Read Becoming a Writer by Dorothea Brande. Then do what it says, including the tasks you think are impossible. You will particularly hate the advice to write first thing in the morning, but if you can manage it, it might well be the best thing you ever do for yourself. This book is about becoming a writer from the inside out. Many later advice manuals derive from it. You don't really need any others, though if you want to boost your confidence, "how to" books seldom do any harm. You can kick-start a whole book with some little writing exercise.”

“If you want to give an advice to someone, you must first be somebody.”

Ifs Want Giving Firsts Advice

Author:Mehmet Murat Ildan

“Because all writers are human beings first and writers second, my guess is that any advice for living with a writer is about the same as advice for living with a plumber or a refrigerator salesperson.”

Firsts Humans Human Beings Advice Refrigerators Plumber Salesperson

Author:Clyde Edgerton

“If I can give a young author any advice, whatsoever, never let anyone announce the film sale of your first novel. Film rights are sold to almost every novel, but it shouldn't be the lead story in your first engagement with the press. Then you end up getting reviews like "a novel made for the screen" and things like that.”

Ifs Giving Firsts Made I Can Ends Stories Film Young Novel Rights Advice Presses Screens Reviews Engagement

Author:William Monahan

“Everybody's playing the game but nobody's rules are the same... Never make a promise or plan. Take a little love where you can... Never stay too long in your bed. Never lose your heart, use your head... Never take a stranger's advice. Never let a friend fool you twice... Never be the first to believe. Never be the last to deceive... Never leave a moment too soon. Never waste a hot afternoon... Never stay a minute too long. Don't forget the best will go wrong... Better learn to go it alone. Recognise you're out on your own. Nobody's on nobody's side.”

“I have advice for new writers, first of all, at any time in the history of publishing in my experience, there will be endless number people telling you that you can't do what you are trying to do. You won't succeed, there's something else you should be doing.”

People Should Trying Firsts Numbers Advice Succeed Endless Publishing

Author:Dean Koontz

“If I had one piece of advice for people - if they are cooking from the Alinea cookbook, the Betty Crocker cookbook or the back of the box - read through the entire recipe first before reaching for any ingredients, and then read again and execute the directions.”

People Ifs Firsts Pieces Advice Cooking Boxes Reaching Ingredients Recipes One Piece Cookbook Betty Crocker

Author:Grant Achatz

“So here's my advice to city planners. Make your city runnable. Runners are the first wave of troops bringing human activity back to the urban core of any city. Where we go, others will follow. The connection between runnability and livability is so clear (at least to me), that it's surprising that new developments consistently leave pathways out of the plans.”

Firsts Humans Cities Clear Plans Advice Development Activity Connections Wave Core Surprising Troops Consistently Urban Runners Pathways Human Activity Planners

Author:Don Kardong

“Many people confuse authority and the power of efficiency, as if the first role of people with responsibility is to take decisions, command effectively and so exercise power. But their role first of all is to be a person to whom others can turn for help and advice, to provide security, to affirm, to support, to encourage and to guide.”

People Ifs Firsts Persons Helping Turns Decision Responsibility Roles Support Advice Security Exercise Authority Guides Command Efficiency

Author:Jean Vanier

“Advice to first year medical students: In anatomy, it is better to have learned and lost than never to have learned at all.”

Years Firsts Lost Advice Students Medical Anatomy

Author:W. Somerset Maugham

“Whenever I teach writing I tell them to never revise as you go. Finish the first draft. This is my writing advice. I can't do that myself. I'm lying to everybody. I write a paragraph, and then I rewrite that paragraph. I want to feel like I'm standing on firm ground before I move on to the next paragraph. Mentally, I have to do that.”

Want Feels Writing Firsts I Can Moving Lying Next Teach Advice Standing Firm Writing Advice Paragraph

Author:Matt de la Pena

“In retrospect, I went to Jane Fonda for literally everything. During Mermaids, we were staying in the same building, so she was right upstairs from me. I was in my first relationship, so I got all sorts of advice. She became famous in her late teens.”

Firsts Advice Building Late Staying Teens Jane Retrospect Mermaid Upstairs

Author:Winona Ryder

“Therapy really did prepare me to become an empathic songwriter. As far as advice goes, it's a matter of self understanding first.”

Firsts Self Matter Understanding Advice Therapy Songwriters Self Understanding

Author:William Fitzsimmons

“I've grown up watching and admiring Norm. Sherie actually starred in the first off-Broadway show I ever saw in New York, which was The Last Five Years. It's amazing how things come full-circle and how the community (once you hang around it long enough) grows smaller and smaller as it grows. Sharing the stage with these people is more than a dream come true it's so special. They're so warm and giving and offer the best advice. Sherie is very nice and maternal and nurturing.”

“Labels are going to tie you down with a 360 deal, they take percentages of literally every endeavor you're tied to. It's a lot of stipulations and constraints placed on you. What makes it worse is that, in terms of distributing budgets, labels aren't even giving the same amount as they used to. It totally defeats the purpose. My advice would be to get it out there on your own first which will lead you to calling the shots.”

Giving Firsts Would Be Used Purpose Term Deals Advice Amount Calling Shots Defeat Labels Budgets Ties Endeavor Tied Percentages Constraints Stipulations Calling The Shots

Author:Ashanti

“I'm an American, first and foremost, and I'm very proud - I said, I've said to my beloved friend and colleague John McCain, a friend of 25 years, "John, I love you, but I'm not just going to vote for you on the basis of our affection or friendship." And I've said to Barack Obama, "I admire you. I'll give you all the advice I can. But I'm not going to vote for you just because you're black." We have to move beyond this.”

Giving Years Firsts Said I Can Moving Black Advice Love You Proud Vote Bases Affection Admire Barack Beloved Colleagues Mccain Admire You Beloved Friends

Author:Colin Powell

“My grandfather used to say 'Eat the biggest crabs first, that way you're always eating the biggest crabs.' In making a TV show, that means if you have a big funny or smart idea for an episode or a scene or a joke, go for it. Don't save it for another season or another episode, because you may not have the right time again. It's good advice for television, but truly stellar advice for eating crabs.”

“My advice for aspiring writers is threefold.First, read as much as possible, both within and outside the genre you arem working in. By reading you hone your internal ear for style. Second, write. Everything comes down to it; unless you write, you are not a writer. Third, submit your work. But - stop chasing every seductive new market out there, and stop trying to write for the tastes of specific established professional markets and editors. That way lies mediocrity and eventual dissolution of your true voice, no matter how embryonic or pronounced it may be now.”

Way Writing Trying Firsts May Matter Lying Reading Voice Advice Style Taste Ears Thirds Genre Internals Editors Mediocrity Submit Chasing Seductive Stop Trying Dissolution Aspiring Writers

Author:Vera Nazarian

“Once you have really done all you can, then you can show it to people. But I find this is increasingly not the case with the younger people. They do a first draft and want somebody to finish it off for them with good advice.”

People Want Firsts Done Shows Cases Advice Good Advice

Author:Chinua Achebe

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