Wednesday, April 1, 2015

A to Z Challenge - A - The Answer

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. I encourage everyone to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs.

The awesome co-hosts today are Suzanne Furness, Tonja Drecker, Toi Thomas, Rachna Chhabria, Fundy Blue, and Donna Hole!

We are also participating in the A to Z Challenge this month and will be providing daily words of encouragement.

The answer to all writing, to any career for that matter, is love. – Ray Bradbury

All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know. – Ernest Hemingway

Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere. – Anne Lamott

Any man who keeps working is not a failure. He may not be a great writer, but if he applies the old-fashioned virtues of hard, constant labor, he’ll eventually make some kind of career for himself as a writer. – Ray Bradbury

Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it. – P.J. O’Rourke

Just keep reading and writing, folks! The only way you’ll fail is if you quit.

41 comments:

Fran Clark said...

Hi this is my first stop on the A-Z Challenge and very inspirational especially as I am in the process of re-vamping my writer's website and thought: Hey wouldn't it be great to have a groovy quote on there!

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

I especially enjoyed the Bradbury one. And the O'Rourke made me laugh. :)

Elodie said...

Love this! Will definitely pass by everyday to get a dose of encouragement :) Thank you!

Scribbles From Jenn said...

Great way to start the challenge! I loved the O'Rourke and Bradbury ones, too.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Alex - the PJ O'Rourke one made me laugh .. good idea ... and yes - the need to start ..

Cheers Hilary

Pat Hatt said...

Have to keep on a trucking indeed

Clare said...

Excellent quotes to start off the challenge. And I love that IWSG is doing the A-Z, and posting words of encouragement each day. Should make for some excellent posts!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks and glad everyone likes the quotes I selected!

Anonymous said...

Yes, Ray Bradbury! I love these quotes.

SittieCates said...

Anne Lamott's correct. I can relate with the terrible first efforts. :-) I'm with you, Alex. "Just keep reading and writing." That's true.

Cherie Colyer said...

Love the quote, and had to chuckle at the last one. =)

AJ Lauer said...

Hahaha the O'Rourke one...
I didn't know y'all were participating! Can't wait to see it.
~AJ Lauer @ blog.ajlauer.net
an A-Z Cohost
@ayjaylauer on Twitter

Diane Burton said...

I liked what YOU said at the end that the only way to fail is to quit. Wise words.

Mary Aalgaard said...

Love these quotes. The O'Rourke one made me chuckle.
Play off the Page

randi lee said...

My favorite of all these is "The only way you fail is if you quit."

:)

Christine Rains said...

Fantastic quotes! I especially like Anne's. Perseverance is key!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Great quotes for the day. I'm going with Ray's for my motto. I'm just going to keep on writing.

Sher A. Hart said...

I would have a heart attack if I tried doing A-Z, let alone with IWSG. I'm too chicken. Or I'm raising chickens. Ray Bradbury's advice gives me hope!

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Great beginning of the month post, Alex. I especially love the last one. Haha.

Stephsco said...

The Hemingway quote inspired my post today. Thanks! Writing what's true and from the heart really shows on the page. I'm learning that every day.

Here's my post: Stephanie Scott IWSG April post

emilia.m said...

"The only way you’ll fail is if you quit."
Thank you for those words!!!

Michelle Wallace said...

I love that Hemingway quote!
Happy A-Day!

Rob Z Tobor said...

Passing as one of Mr B's Ambassadors as you fall into my patrol area. I am a lean mean Ambassador but will accept bribes. . .

One true sentence. . . . DAMN that's my A to Z destroyed this year. . . .O Well

Rob Z Tobor

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I love that last one.

cleemckenzie said...

Following your suggestion and Ray Bradbury nailed it when he said "love" is the answer to any career.

J.Q. Rose said...

Love all the quotes, but especially the last one. Kind of like when your mother told you to wear clean underwear in case you're in a car wreck.

Anonymous said...

Great quotes. So for the last one, I shouldn't read 50 Shades right? Sorry, couldn't resist the poke.

Natalie Bowers said...

Great words. Great encouragement. Thanks!

Sylvia Ney said...

Good quotes, and a Great way to start this challenge!

Lisa said...

My fav is the first one by Ray Bradbury. He is one of my all time fav writers. Thanks for dropping by and commenting on my blog Michelle! Good luck with the A to Z, Lisa, co-host AtoZ 2015, @ lisabuiecollard.com

Lisa said...

Of course I agree completely with the last quote too, by PJ O'Rourke!

J.L. Campbell said...

Lots of encouragement here, Alex. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Lovely inspiring words!

Unknown said...

Way to go Ray - it really is love for the craft.

Happy A to Z

Sharon Himsl said...

I like Hemingway's quote. We must seek the truth in whatever we write.

pam said...

I kind of adore Ray Bradbury.

Pam

Donna McDine said...

Wonderful and inspiring quotes! Thanks for sharing!

A Mom Blogs said...

Thanks for sharing :)
I’m also doing the A to Z challenge, Organize Home Life on http://AMomsPointOfView.com

Donna Smith said...

Ha! This one sounds like one my mother would have told me to do:

"Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it. – P.J. O’Rourke"

Sharybary said...

Impressive following you have! Great idea!

KC Kendricks said...

One of these days I'm going to apply to join this group.

KC
#31 on the 2015 A to Z list