Quote

Writing is one of the few professions in which you can psychoanalyse yourself, get rid of hostilities and frustrations in public, and get paid for it.

Octavia Butler

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Octavia Butler
Hostility
Frustration
Profession
Paid
Public
Writing
Hostilities
Frustrations
Professions

More quotes by Octavia Butler

Image
Third, for people who aren't doing it already, take classes - they're worthwhile. Workshops or classes - a workshop is where you do actually get feedback on your work, not just something where you go and sit for a day.
Octavia Butler
Image
Slavery was a long slow process of dulling.
Octavia Butler
Image
Once you grow past Mommy and Daddy coming running when you're hurt, you're really on your own. You're alone, and there's no one to help you.
Octavia Butler
Image
To get along with God, Consider the consequences of your behavior. Earthseed: The Books of the Living
Octavia Butler
Image
I have a huge and savage conscience that won't let me get away with things.
Octavia Butler
Image
I began reading science fiction before I was 12 and started writing science fiction around the same time.
Octavia Butler
Image
Humans persecute their different ones, yet they need them to give themselves definition and status.
Octavia Butler
Image
There's no narcotic like exhaustion.
Octavia Butler
Image
Every story I create, creates me. I write to create myself.
Octavia Butler
Image
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
Image
I just knew there were stories I wanted to tell.
Octavia Butler
Image
A victim of God may, Through learning adaption, Become a partner of God, A victim of God may, Through forethought and planning, Become a shaper of God. Or a victim of God may, Through shortsightedness and fear, Remain God's victim, God's plaything, God's prey.
Octavia Butler
Image
Religion kept some of my relatives alive, because it was all they had. If they hadn't had some hope of heaven, some companionship in Jesus, they probably would have committed suicide, their lives were so hellish.
Octavia Butler
Image
You are horror and beauty in rare combination.
Octavia Butler
Image
I'm trying to speak--to write-the truth. Im trying to be clear. I'm not interested in being fancy, or even original. Clarity and truth will be plenty, if I can only achieve them.
Octavia Butler
Image
Civilization is the way one's own people live. Savagery is the way foreigners live.
Octavia Butler
Image
Most of us don't have to worry about being shot of we poke our noses outside. So we are comfortable, but the people I'm writing about are definitely not comfortable, and being shot while they're still inside is a good possibility.
Octavia Butler
Image
We give our dead To the orchards And the groves. We give our dead To life.
Octavia Butler
Image
Religion is a dangerous prod, because it can always be misused and get out of hand, but it's useful for keeping people on the straight and narrow.
Octavia Butler
Image
First forget inspiration. Habit is more dependable. Habit will sustain you whether you're inspired or not. Habit will help you finish and polish your stories. Inspiration won't. Habit is persistence in practice.
Octavia Butler