Day 2 of the 3 Day Quote Challenge. 
With thanks to Erika for the invitation.
https://erikakind.wordpress.com/
From her book, “Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life. ”
Anne Lamott.
A simple message about authenticity.
Something every writer has considered at some point in the journey.
She also writes:
“If something inside of you is real, we will probably find it interesting, and it will probably be universal. So you must risk placing real emotion at the center of your work. Write straight into the emotional center of things.
Write toward vulnerability. Risk being unliked. Tell the truth as you understand it. If you’re a writer you have a moral obligation to do this. And it is a revolutionary act—truth is always subversive.”
vanbytheriver 
Regards the ‘Risk being unliked’, I have found that readers seem to have to ‘like’ the characters in a novel for it to have a chance of being successful. When I have written about unlikeable but true-to-life characters in the past, the characters seem to receive more than their fair share of criticism!
Interesting observation. Thanks, Stevie. ☺
Love the quotes, but especially that last quote. I’ve never heard of her, so thanks for introducing me to her, too.
There is so much good stuff from her book….you can Google a lot of it. ☺ Great writing reference.
One of my favorite books and a great quote. Makes me laugh, particularly the way our family reacted when I wrote about them! Writing authentically, though, isn’t easy. But, it’s a terrific goal.
It just makes so much sense that you know this quote, Debby. Thanks. ❤️
Sounds tempting.
But I find that given the chance, people change.
So I’ll stick with “if you have something nice to say, say it. If not, keep it to yourself”
And believe me when I say I have a couple of people I’m keeping SO MUCH to myself about.
People do change, and forgiveness is always possible, but if characters are created according to our experiences, it’s important to not exclude the ones who were such a negative influence. Thanks, Sawsan. ❤️
🙂
There were times I could have better to others.
I hope they don’t write about me.
😉
Are you talking about writing a biography?
Not necessarily. I think it applies to fiction as well, in the way characters are portrayed. ☺
Wonderful quotes!
Thanks. ☺ This is a fun challenge…there is so much good stuff out there.
I agree. 🙂
Love that book, love Anne Lamott and love the story that the title of the book comes from. She’s as honest and direct and bright as they come.
Thank, Van.
She is a new generation of brilliant, I think, George. You’re most welcome. 🐦 One bird at a time.
That is a great quote because it encourages writers to be true to themselves!
Absolutely, Judy. 📚 📖
I love these quotes! They’re so powerful and empowering!
Empowering…what a great description. Thanks, D., I agree. ❤️
Thank you for sharing. A quote I will take to heart when I struggle with expressing freely.
It is thought-provoking, for sure. 💖
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I like this quote, it is good advice and different!
Thanks, Lynn. ❤️
I was told to be a secretary and hated it. But after going back to school I became what I wanted to.
Thanks, Donna. We usually find the right path on our own. ☺
Those are challenging ideals I must say. I’m too much the coward I suppose to risk approbation for a story. That said every time I mention my wife on my blog I risk major earache… So I guess I’m wearing the reluctance away, one sentence at a time.
Oh, the endurance, Geoff. I vowed to respect the privacy of my husband and children when I started this blog. It’s hard, because they are a colorful bunch, in both good and bad ways. My birth family, however, open territory for me. ☺
I’ve anonymised my family but even so the Textiliste aka my wife is always on my case if I slip up. My parents, now dead, are fair game though. As is my brother – the Archaeologist- because he owes me for being older and wiser and bigger throughout my childhood.
I totally agree. I’ve often heard it said that a great writer never holds back.
Thanks, Paul. I guess…sometimes you just can’t. And that’s a good thing. ☺
I’m convinced that it produces the best writing. :O)
Great quote and loved her book.
Some brilliant advice there. ❣️
Ha! How true is that 😄😄 Yes. I agree.
Thanks, Jacqueline. It works for me. 💖