There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are. — W. SOMERSET MAUGHAM

It is not human to be wise, ’ said Blood. ‘It is much more human to err, though perhaps exceptional to err on the side of mercy.’ — Rafael Sabatini ‘Captain Blood’

Winter doesn’t make us better, then, or worse, But enables us to find ourselves again. — Alexander McCall Smith

Art is never finished, only abandoned. — LEONARDO DA VINCI

Если же Ваши будни кажутся Вам бедными, то не вините их; вините сами себя, скажите себе, что в Вас слишком мало от поэта, чтобы Вы могли вызвать все богатства этих буден: ведь для творческого духа не существует бедности и нет такого места, которое было бы безразличным и бедным. — Райнер Мария Рильке «Письма молодому поэту»

Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt. — WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

I have no right to expect others to do for me what I should do for myself. — THOMAS WOLFE

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favour all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now. — WILLIAM HUTCHISON MURRAY

All writers are vain, selfish, and lazy, and at the very bottom of their motives there lies a mystery. Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand. For all one knows that demon is simply the same instinct that makes a baby squall for attention. — GEORGE ORWELL

Half the world is composed of people who have something to say and can’t, and the other half who have nothing to say and keep on saying it. ― ROBERT FROST