14 Quotes to Help You Trust Your Creative Voice

Welcome to the Writing and Wellness annual quote round-up!

Looking back, I can’t believe that this is the sixth year I’ve done these. They’ve all been popular posts and I love how they capture certain overarching themes in the writing life.

You can view past quote pages at the following links:

• 12 Motivating Quotes to Keep You Writing No Matter What
• 24 Inspiring and Encouraging Quotes for Writers
• 30 Quotes to Inspire a New Year of Writing
• 30 Quotes to Boost a Writer’s Spirit
• Quotes to Encourage, Motivate, and Reassure Writers

This year, many of the authors spoke about the challenges of marketing, staying healthy while writing, and being persistent with your writing practice.

Perhaps what came through most this year, though, was the pure love of writing. With the challenges we all faced this year, writing was a source of respite and refuge to which many of us returned time and again, and I think all of us were grateful for it.

Here you go—14 quotes to lift your writing world today. Thanks to all the authors who shared with Writing and Wellness this year!

“In my long experience as writer, I’ve seen many changes in the publishing business from the publisher doing the marketing and promoting of your book, to startup online publishers who expected the author to do the majority of promoting….I know what works for me and I urge other writers to give whatever kinds of promotions a go, experiment and discover what works for them.”
~Melinda Rucker Haynes

“I believe that the more I create, the more I create. When I am sewing, ideas for my writing pop to mind so I keep a pad and pencil by my sewing machine to jot them down. When I am in the groove with writing, my brain takes over and serves up entire beautiful paragraphs while I shower or read the newspaper.”
~Lorie Kleiner Eckart

“One thing I’ve struggled with is that writing really isn’t very good for you. I’ve found regular running, swimming, skiing and other workouts to be necessary antidotes to long periods at a desk and the looming shadow of the refrigerator….I’m also a pianist and find practicing brings a different kind of peace that helps keep me grounded.”
~Annie Boochever

“I think a lot of writers hear the word ‘marketing’ and immediately cringe. Reframing how you view marketing can be a beneficial thing. Don’t think of it as a sleazy ‘buy my book’ campaign; think of it as a genuine opportunity to connect with readers who share your interests. For this reason, I actually really enjoy marketing.”
~Jennifer Gold

“Some days, though, my coping technique is just to simply step away from the writing and the business for a day or two while constantly reminding myself that it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

And then I tell myself to quit comparing my beginning to someone else’s middle. (Isn’t that how it goes?) The good thing about being an indie author is the ability to set your own schedule, and sometimes, you just need to step away from it.”
~Amy J. Wenglar

“Marketing is the most difficult part of being a writer….That being said, I think an author has to learn to sell him or herself. Meaning, we have to put ourselves out there and talk to readers via our blogs or social media. I think the most successful authors are open books. They allow readers to see who they are and what they’re about. If people like you, they may give your book a chance.”
~Vashti Quiroz-Vega

“I’ve learned to treat the body as I would a pet, giving it fresh air, food and water means I have more level energies.”
~Pearl Pirie

“This has become many of an author’s cliché, yet it’s so true: I need to write like I need air to breathe. I’m at my happiest when a story flows from my mind to my fingertips and at my crabbiest when I’m kept away from writing. Writing gives me a sense of peace.”
~Elaine Stock

“While it may be true that doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will, it didn’t make my success through perseverance any more believable. Sadly, hard work doesn’t always equal publishing success.

Even so, I have a post-it in my office that reads: Proceed as if success is inevitable. Success isn’t always inevitable. I knew this. Yet the only way I could keep moving forward—whether it was finishing a chapter, or finding the odd research tidbit—was to ignore the grim reaper. And so I kept my head down. I did the work. I wrote the thing.”
~Tonya Mitchell (link)

“In many ways writing is the one thread that held and still holds my life together. Writing gave me hope for a future.”
~Milana Marsenich

“One area of authordom that can be a struggle is marketing; we’re creatives, not selling machines. However, being an author these days means taking the reins and putting on the marketing hat. Personally, I struggle with the ‘look at me’ approach, but I excel at understanding the needs of my audience and building relationships. So that’s what I focus on – I deliver value, so much value that it earns the trust of the people I help.”
~Angela Ackerman

“Trust that inner voice of yours….Write what’s important to you, what you want to say, in whatever genre you’re compelled to write in….Know that you’ll be in it for the long haul if you want to make it as career writer, so don’t give up on your dreams.”
~Sharon Ledwith

“I know you writers, and other artisans, don’t get the feedback you deserve, but I am here to tell you that you do make a difference and are much appreciated….Remember that what prompts negative reviews is often not related to you directly, but rather to the needs of the reader. So please don’t depend on stars on a computer screen to bolster your self-worth. That only leads to unneeded debilitating stress.

Instead, step outside in the evening and look at the bazillions of stars shining down on you. Strive for excellence and what makes you feel good and useful. If you like your work, so will many others, whether they say so or not. Good health to you, and please keep writing.”
~Lauri Ellis

_{Featured image by Cookie the Pom on Unsplash.}