March 17, 2008

Every day a writing quote appears in my inbox from The Writer’s Lifeline.

Sometimes it strikes a chord, sometimes not.

The one that chimed its arrival late Thursday is one I will keep close. The quote is attributed to Donald Hall, America’s Poet Laureate from 2006 to 2007 and still a working writer as he enters his 80th year:

“Mere literary talent is common; what is rare is endurance, the continuing desire to work hard at writing.”

I often say, and sincerely believe, that if I thought my best work was behind me, I’d be devastated.

Instead, I try to behave as if every writing day is the beginning of my career, not another fleeting 24 hours closer to its end.

Until Thursday night, I never thought of it as endurance, just simply the way that anyone who’s lucky enough to enjoy working with words spends the days.

I guess that’s why Hall’s observation jumped off the screen — a message of hope as twilight heralded the close of another writing day.

If you have a favorite quote that keeps you going, please share it.

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Christopher “Chip” Scanlan (@chipscanlan) is a writer and writing coach who formerly directed the writing programs and the National Writer’s Workshops at Poynter where he…
Chip Scanlan

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