“Even the greats don’t nail it on the first try.” ~ Emily Temple

“Not that the story need be long, but it will take a long while to make it short.” – Henry David Thoreau in a letter to Harrison Blake, November 16, 1857

“If you aren’t in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?” ~ T. S. Eliot

“Let us try to teach generosity and altruism, because we are born selfish.” ~ Richard Dawkins

“Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” – Harriet Beecher Stowe

“First thoughts have tremendous energy. The internal censor usually squelches them, so we live in the realm of second and third thoughts, thoughts on thought, twice and three times removed from the direct connection of the first fresh flash.” — Natalie Goldberg

“I’ve always considered myself to be just average talent and what I have is a ridiculous insane obsessiveness for practice and preparation.” – Will Smith

If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.” — Fred DeVito

“As far as I’m concerned, the entire reason for becoming a writer is not having to get up in the morning.” — Neil Gaiman