6 Top Quotes From Female Writers

Summary

This article shares six insightful quotes from renowned female writers to motivate and inspire writers at different stages of the writing process.

Abstract

The article "6 Top Quotes From Female Writers" offers valuable advice from six prominent female writers to help writers overcome various challenges in the writing process. Dorothy Parker's quote emphasizes the satisfaction of having written, while Margaret Atwood highlights the power of stringing words together. Jodi Piccoult encourages writers to edit their work instead of leaving it unwritten. Octavia E. Butler stresses the importance of persistence in improving one's writing, and Elizabeth Gilbert advocates for self-forgiveness when dealing with disappointment in one's work. Lastly, Sylvia Plath reminds writers that self-doubt is the worst enemy to creativity.

Bullet points

Dorothy Parker: "I hate writing, I love having written."
Margaret Atwood: "A word after a word is power."
Jodi Piccoult: "You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page."
Octavia E. Butler: "You don’t start out writing good stuff. You start out writing crap and thinking it’s good stuff, and then gradually you get better at it. That’s why I say one of the most valuable traits is persistence."
Elizabeth Gilbert: "The more important virtue for a writer, I believe, is self-forgiveness."
Sylvia Plath: "The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt."

Advice from the finest minds to help you through the writing process

Pearls of writerly wisdom gleaned from experience are worth savouring, particularly on those days when you need a nudge in the right direction. The following quotes from six top female writers will motivate, inspire and empower you no matter what stage of the writing process you’re in.

1. Dorothy Parker

“I hate writing, I love having written.”

American poet, writer, and well-known critic Dorothy Parker have many great quotes, but this one sums up the slog that most writers have felt at one time or another. If you find it hard to get started, take solace in the reality that one of the finest female writers has felt this way before. And that like her, you’ll feel better after you’ve written.

3. Jodi Piccoult

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

Sometimes, you reread a piece the next day, and it’s as if the power has drained overnight. And that’s okay because that’s what editing is for. Don’t be afraid to rework a piece if needed. Eight of Jodi Piccoult’s novels have debuted at number one on the New York Times bestseller list. Editing works.

4. Octavia E. Butler

“You don’t start out writing good stuff. You start out writing crap and thinking it’s good stuff, and then gradually you get better at it. That’s why I say one of the most valuable traits is persistence.”

Once you’ve finished editing and sent your piece out into the world, it’s time to write more stuff. American science fiction author Octavia E. Butler’s advice on persistence resonates with the entire act of writing, from beginning a piece to being published.

5. Elizabeth Gilbert

“As for discipline — it’s important, but sort of overrated. The more important virtue for a writer, I believe, is self-forgiveness. Because your writing will always disappoint you. Your laziness will always disappoint you.”

No matter how prolific a writer you are, there will be times when a piece doesn’t work. For whatever reason. And when this happens, Elizabeth Gilbert, best known for her memoir Eat, Pray, Love, has the best advice. Forgive yourself. Forgive yourself for not writing a piece as epic as you hoped for. Instead, return to quote number one and be proud of yourself for having written at all.

6. Syliva Plath

“And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.”

Because as a legendary poet, novelist, and short-story writer Sylvia Plath says, the worst enemy to your creativity is self-doubt. So, gather fresh ideas and put pen to page again. You’re in good company.