Famous quote by Octavia Butler

Mobile Desktop
And I have this little litany of things they can do. And the first one, of course, is to write - every day, no excuses.
Like

"And I have this little litany of things they can do. And the first one, of course, is to write - every day, no excuses. It's so easy to make excuses. Even professional writers have days when they'd rather clean the toilet than do the writing"

- Octavia Butler

About this Quote

In this quote, Octavia Butler, a well known sci-fi author, shares an extensive insight into the writing process that applies to both amateur and skilled writers. The essence of her message is the value of discipline and consistency in writing. Butler emphasizes that composing should be a day-to-day habit, one that is pursued relentlessly, in spite of the myriad of reasons that might arise.

The concept of a "little list of things they can do" suggests a set of practices or a routine that budding authors can adopt to improve their craft. Here, the term "litany" indicates repeating and routine, highlighting the concept that effective writing needs continuous commitment and effort. The recommendations to "write - every day, no reasons" functions as a foundational pillar of this regular, highlighting that routine practice is vital for refining composing abilities.

Butler acknowledges the human tendency to procrastinate or find distractions, even insignificant ones, such as preferring to "clean the toilet" over writing. This brilliant images brings humor to the message while underscoring the universal nature of such avoidance techniques. It is a tip that even professional authors, who might appear to have a simple and easy proficiency over their craft, deal with the exact same struggles with motivation and discipline.

The quote also serves to demystify the composing process. By exposing that hesitation and reasons are common to all authors, Butler uses encouragement to those who might feel disheartened by their own battles. It restates that composing is not constantly a divine or magical experience; rather, it is a labor-intensive job that needs perseverance and commitment.

In essence, Butler's suggestions is a call to action for aiming writers. It demands that they show up and do the work, regardless of state of mind or disposition. This day-to-day dedication to composing can result in advancements and the growing of a sustainable and satisfying writing practice.

About the Author

USA Flag This quote is written / told by Octavia Butler between June 22, 1947 and February 24, 2006. He/she was a famous Writer from USA. The author also have 31 other quotes.

Go to author profile

Similar Quotes

Small: Love is like war: easy to begin but very hard to stop - H. L. Mencken
H. L. Mencken
"Love is like war: easy to begin but very hard to stop"
H. L. Mencken, Writer
Small: Better ones House be too little one day than too big all the Year after - Thomas Fuller
Thomas Fuller
"Better one's House be too little one day than too big all the Year after"
Thomas Fuller, Clergyman
Small: My sorrow, when shes here with me, thinks these dark days of autumn rain are beautiful as days can be she love
Robert Frost
"My sorrow, when she's here with me, thinks these dark days of autumn rain are beautiful as days can be; she loves the bare, the withered tree; she walks the sodden pasture lane"
Robert Frost, Poet
Small: I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their charact
Martin Luther King Jr.
"I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character"
Martin Luther King Jr., Minister
Small: And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom - An
"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom"
Anais Nin, Author
Small: Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summers day, listening to the murmur
"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time"
John Lubbock, Statesman
Small: There is only one day left, always starting over: it is given to us at dawn and taken away from us at dusk - J
Jean-Paul Sartre
"There is only one day left, always starting over: it is given to us at dawn and taken away from us at dusk"
Jean-Paul Sartre, Philosopher
Small: Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days - Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
"Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days"
Benjamin Franklin, Politician
Small: A gentle heart is tied with an easy thread - George Herbert
George Herbert
"A gentle heart is tied with an easy thread"
George Herbert, Poet
Small: Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things - Robert Brault
Robert Brault
"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things"
Robert Brault, Philosopher