Inspiration Monday: Quote by Andre Dubus

Dubus’ quote has been on my mind recently. I’ve been writing, but not as frequently as I want to. Time slips away from me, and I spend so little of it at my computer writing. And when I am at my computer, I have editing work to do.

It would be easier to quit, to say that right now in my life I don’t have the time or energies. But writing is part of who I am, and I don’t want to quit. I don’t want to come back to writing at a better time because there is no better time. Life will only get busier and more complicated.

Come April, I’ll give birth to another beautiful daughter who will want my time and attention 24/7. It’s only going to get harder finding time to write, but I’m okay with that. I’m not going to quit. Writing is what keeps me sane during the crazy turbulence of life.

Quote by J.K. Rowling

“Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.” ~J.K. Rowling

I’ve always admired J.K. Rowling and her series. She turned to her writing in the worst time of her life and built up a magical world that influenced nations. But right now, this quote means more to me than ever before. I’ve been slacking off this past month with blog posts. I haven’t written daily on my own personal projects. I’ve done everything a writer shouldn’t do. I’ve been busy with work and more work, family reunions, and my own immediate family, over stretching myself emotionally.

Today, this quote has inspired me. This morning I wrote 250 words of my own projects, and it’s still not even 9 AM. I want to return to my old habits of 500-1000 words a day, and I will start with today. I don’t need a perfect life to build a solid foundation. In fact, the foundation will be stronger if I build it now while it’s hard.

So this is my promise to myself. I’m posting it for all to see. I’m going to write every day even if I hate it or I’m falling asleep on my keyboard. Because it’s better than not writing at all and losing myself–this past month has taught me that.

Reading Quote by Lawrence Durrell

As I child, I thought I read to escape reality. I loved diving into books full of fantasy, fighting, bravery, shrewdness, daring adventures, and skillful robberies. But now, I look back and agree with Lawrence Durrell. I was confirming a reality I already knew existed and dreamed to experience. By reading, I experienced that reality. Today I write those realities.

Inspiration Monday: Quote by James Hilton

I love this quote because it reminds me that there is more to the characters and works of art I create. It inspires me to make my characters real people with real lives and personalities–with central heating and exterior lighting.

Inspiration Monday: Quote by John Updike

I love this quote because it inspires me to write about more than just heroes, but regular people who do regular things. Grand blood lines or jobs don’t always make a person interesting, but how they live their ordinary lives, how they adapt to new situations. The dull and mundane can become interesting when explored by a writer.

Inspiration Monday: Quote by Joss Whedon

It’s the end of NaNoWriMo, and it’s a time many participants put away their draft and resume their normal lives without writing for the next 11 months. This year, remember why you write and keep writing for the rest of the year.

image credit to pinterest pinner Jonathan Rangel

Inspiration Monday: Quote by Ernest Hemingway

Every time I read this quote, I feel two emotions simultaneously. The first emotion is intimidation. The job Hemingway gives writers sets a high bar, but the challenge leads to my second emotion: inspiration. This quote inspires me to work harder, to write more, and to revise better each day. This quote is a goal I intend to accomplish.

Inspiration Monday: Quote by Anton Chekhov