Quote

No... a novel is a long business. I'm a slow writer, even when I'm doing very well I write slowly.

Octavia Butler

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Octavia Butler
Slow
Even
Long
Writer
Novel
Business
Write
Wells
Comeback
Well
Slowly
Writing

More quotes by Octavia Butler

Image
Beware At war Or at peace, More people die Of unenlightened self-interest Than of any other disease
Octavia Butler
Image
If you want a thing--truly want it, want it so badly that you need it as you need air to breathe, then unless you die, you will have it. Why not? It has you. There is no escape. What a cruel and terrible thing escape would be if escape were possible
Octavia Butler
Image
Listen, no part of me is more definitive of who I am than my brain.
Octavia Butler
Image
You don't start out writing good stuff. You start out writing crap and thinking it's good stuff, and then gradually you get better at it. That's why I say one of the most valuable traits is persistence.
Octavia Butler
Image
All religions are ultimately cargo cults. Adherents perform required rituals, follow specific rules, and expect to be supernaturally gifted with desired rewards long life, honor, wisdom, children, good health, wealth, victory over opponents, immortality after death, any desired rewards.
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
Science fiction let me do both. It let me look into science and stick my nose in everywhere.
Octavia Butler
Image
And by the way, I wanted to point out that Kindred is not science fiction. You'll note there's no science in it. It's a kind of grim fantasy.
Octavia Butler
Image
People who want to write either do it or they don't. At last I began to say that my most important talent - or habit - was persistence. Without it, I would have given up writing long before I finished my first novel. It's amazing what we can do if we simply refuse to give up.
Octavia Butler
Image
He was like me - a kindred spirit crazy enough to keep on trying.
Octavia Butler
Image
I'm me, and I'm here, and I'm writing.
Octavia Butler
Image
A workshop is a way of renting an audience, and making sure you're communicating what you think you're communicating. It's so easy as a young writer to think you're been very clear when in fact you haven't.
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
A tree Cannot grow In its parents' shadows.
Octavia Butler
Image
I was attracted to science fiction because it was so wide open. I was able to do anything and there were no walls to hem you in and there was no human condition that you were stopped from examining.
Octavia Butler
Image
Belief initiates and guides action - or it does nothing.
Octavia Butler
Image
You are horror and beauty in rare combination.
Octavia Butler
Image
Change is the one unavoidable, irresistible, ongoing reality of the universe. To us, that makes it the most powerful reality, and just another word for God. Earthseed: The Books of the Living Lauren Oya Olamina
Octavia Butler
Image
Be who you are and not who someone else thinks you ought to be.
Octavia Butler
Image
To be led by a fool is to be led by the opportunists who control the fool.
Octavia Butler