Plymouth, MI, USA - March 23, 2026 - "I've worked with some of the finest authors, and many struggle with selfdoubt," says book publicist Scott Lorenz of Westwind Book Marketing.
"One of my clients once threw his manuscript into the ocean, convinced it wasn't worth reading. He went off to college, became a lawyer, and only years later decided to take another shot at writing." That author was Alan Trustman, who went on to write The Thomas Crown Affair, They Call Me Mister Tibbs, and the iconic screenplay for Bullitt starring Steve McQueen. Alan Trustman passed away on March 7, and Lorenz says his story remains a powerful reminder for every writer who questions their own talent.
"Selfdoubt is a problem for many authors," Lorenz adds. "That's why I compiled a list of my favorite inspirational author quotes. Even if you can't speak directly with successful writers, you can still learn from their words about the craft. If you're an aspiring author searching for the path forward, it makes sense to listen to those who have already walked it."
1. "You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." -Jack London
2. "The scariest moment is always just before you start." -Stephen King
3. "Nobody buys a book that they don't pick up." -James Patterson
4. "You see a lot of young writers who have interesting ideas and a certain skill with words, but their story is not a story ... it's more of a vignette." -George R.R. Martin
5. "No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader." -Robert Frost
6. "If you have no critics, you'll likely have no success." -Malcolm X
7. "All a writer needs is talent and ink." -J.K. Rowling
8. "You can make anything by writing." -C.S. Lewis
9. "Write. Rewrite. When not writing or rewriting, read. I know of no shortcuts." -Larry L. King
10. "I don't need an alarm clock. My ideas wake me." -Ray Bradbury
11. "In order to write about life first you must live it." -Ernest Hemingway
12. "Character is plot, plot is character." -F. Scott Fitzgerald
13. "Write what should not be forgotten." -Isabel Allende
14. "If you don't see the book you want on the shelf, write it." -Beverly Cleary
15. "I know nothing in the world that has as much power as a word. Sometimes I write one, and I look at it, until it begins to shine." -Emily Dickinson
16. "Write about the emotions you fear the most." -Laurie Halse Anderson
17. "Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere." -Anne Lamott
18. "You can always edit a bad page. You can't edit a blank page." -Jodi Picoult
19. "Done is better than perfect." -Sheryl Sandberg
20. "Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them." -Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel Handler)
The Bottom Line: Use these quotes to propel you forward. Remember, success as an author doesn't happen overnight. It takes a great deal of dedication, passion, and hard work.
About Book Publicist Scott Lorenz
Book publicist Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications, a public relations and marketing firm that has a special knack for working with authors to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Lorenz works with bestselling authors and self-published authors promoting all types of books, whether it's their first book or their 15th book. He's handled publicity for books by CEOs, CIA Officers, Navy SEALS, Homemakers, Fitness Gurus, Doctors, Lawyers and Adventurers. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC News, New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, LA Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Woman's World, & Howard Stern to name a few.
Learn more about Westwind Communications' book marketing approach at www.WestwindBookMarketing.com or contact Lorenz at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or 734-667-2090. Reach Lorenz on Twitter @aBookPublicist. Want help titling a book? Check out Scott Lorenz's new award winning, bestselling book: Book Title Generator - A Proven System in Naming Your Book (www.BookTitleGenerator.net) and his newest book, Book Title Bible: How to Title Your Christian Book with Faith and Inspiration.
Media Contact
Company Name: Westwind Communications Book Marketing
Contact Person: Scott Lorenz
Email: Send Email
Phone: 734-667-2090
Country: United States
Website: https://www.WestwindBookMarketing.com
