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| Image courtesy of giphy.com |
A lighthearted post this week in honour of the release, nearly ninety years ago on November 17, of Steamboat Willie, starring Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse. For your inspiration this week, here are 6 quotes from Disney movies that I believe hold meaning for writers and their writing.
1. ‘Fairy tales can come true. You gotta make ’em happen; it all depends on you. So I work real hard each and every day, now things for sure are going my way.’ Tiana from The Princess and the Frog.
The only way to get that book written is to sit down and do it. Writing a book is damn hard work and ‘butt on chair’ time is what it’s all about. Are you participating in Nanowrimo? Good on you! (But what are you doing here? Taking a well-earned break? Okay then.) Even if you don’t reach 50 000 words during the month, and what you’ve produced is not of a publishable standard, at least you have something to edit. As the saying goes, you can't edit an empty page.
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| Image courtesy of giphy.com |
2. ‘I was just scared. And the thing is I’m not scared anymore.’ Rapunzel from Tangled.
Fear can be a great motivator. Whatever your biggest writing fear is—success (yes, that is a thing), not being able to translate what’s in your head onto the page, that nobody will want to read your book—you won’t get anywhere unless you push past the anxiety.
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| Image courtesy of giphy.com |
3. ‘Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.’ Alice from Alice in Wonderland.
Like Alice, set your imagination free. If you let your ‘Goofy’ out (pun intended), those creative juices just might start to flow. Play the ‘What if…?’ game. Write by hand. Start your story in the middle if the opening is too intimidating. Have fun with it!
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| Image courtesy of giphy.com |
4. ‘Your identity is your most valuable possession.’ Elastigirl from The Incredibles.
‘Identity’ is another word for ‘voice’. Your writing voice - your style - should be unique to you; it’s what sets you apart from other writers. Ensure your personality comes through in your writing and it will help you to connect with your potential audience. Don't be like Elastigirl, here - let your voice be heard!
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| Image courtesy of gifsoup.com |
5. ‘The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.’ The Emperor of China from Mulan.
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| Image courtesy of giphy.com |
6. ‘If you keep on believing, the dreams that you wish will come true.’ Cinderella from Cinderella.
Believe in yourself! Remember: Whether you think you can or think you can’t, either way, you’re right. ’Nuff said.
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| Image courtesy of gify.com |
Do you have a favourite movie quote? Love to hear it.
Love to Love: Gabrielle Battistel's Trailermade Production. You'll find fantastic trailers for some of your favourite authors' books at http://www.trailermadeproduction.com/. Be sure to check it out!
Love to Laugh: at some of the memes I found when searching for gifs for this post (despite the spelling error :)).
Love to Learn: how long it's going to take me to read Kate Morton's The Lake House. A bit over 3 hours, according to the experts at http://www.howlongtoreadthis.com/. Follow the link to find out how long it will take you to read your next book.
Love this post Marilyn. And yes, Fear of Success is real. My favourite quote is Ferris Bueller - "Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the post, Cassandra. I had a lot of fun putting it together.
DeleteI'm just discovering the reality of Fear of success. You don't know how you'll cope with ''success'' (whatever that may be for you) until you get there. My debut book, The Farmer's Perfect Match, is to be published by Harlequin MIRA in February. I feel I've succeeded in my aim to become a published author, but I'm also suddenly very aware of the importance of promoting myself, something I've never really had to do before, and it's SCARY!
Can't wait to read The Farmer's Perfect Match! :)
DeleteThanks Malvina. I'm kind of looking forward to that myself! We're at the pointy end now, almost ready to have it sent to the printers, and my cover reveal is imminent.
DeleteWow, Marilyn! Love the post! Who better to inspire than Disney? And I have to say, you had me at #1. Fairy tales can come true if you (I) put my butt on the office chair and fingers on keys.
ReplyDeleteYep, there's no way of getting away from the fact that that's the only way to get your book written. How are you going with your latest?
DeleteI believe in your fairy story, Dee, and am looking forward to it.
DeleteOh! And I'm saving my favourite movie quote for after my first book release, when sales begin to fall off...The Terminator's, "I'll be back." 🤓
ReplyDeleteLove the positive attitude in your quote!
DeleteHi Marilyn, I love the post and the animated pictures. You are very cleaver... I love all those quotes. I think fear can be a big hindrance in anything we want to do in life. I have had many people say to me "I'm too scared to try to write a book," "weren't you scared of what people would think of your book?" Yes, of course. We all have fear in different ways but its about doing it regardless of the fear... Is that too deep for a Monday morning?
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen! The gifs (animations) are easy once you know how. ;)
DeleteYou're so right: about the importance of doing something/anything regardless of the fear. I think it proves how much you want to achieve that thing (whatever it might be).
And nothing's too deep for a Monday morning once you've had that first coffee.:)
I love Disney movies, and although they are for children, at one level they also ring true for adults. I've been known to sneak into one - gasp - without child! My favourite movie quote is from The Dead Poet's Society: 'carpe diem' - or 'seize the day'. You never know what's going to happen tomorrow...
ReplyDeleteHi Malvina! I've been a Disney fan all my life and, while I've never actually gone to watch one at the movies without the kids, I have been known to watch one or two on Foxtel without the kids around. Just love the feel-good factor of them.
DeleteAh, carpe diem - such a great motto to live your life by (and what a wonderful movie The Dead Poets Society is).
Hi Marilyn, What an inspiring post. I especially loved the quote you found from The Emperor in Mulan "The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all". I also find the following quote highly motivating: "All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." Walt Disney.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Sharon! I'm a great one for quotes; I'm glad you found the post inspiring. As for your favourite quote, it's lovely to see you having the courage to finally pursue your dream (with regard to writing). Fingers crossed it comes true for you.
ReplyDeleteHi Marilyn. A terrific post with some truly great quotes, all inspiring. The quote I love the most is "If you build it, he will come," from Field of Dreams. In reference to writing, I translate that to "if I write it, readers will read it." It helps me go forward past fear and halt procrastination.
ReplyDeleteHi Enisa. I know you find quotes as inspirational as I do. I love how you've applied your favourite quote to your writing life and I have no doubt that, when you finish your book and get it published, the readers will come. ( I really enjoyed 'Field of Dreams, too.)
DeleteHi Marilyn... a great, inspirational post. Most especially the quote: ‘The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.’
ReplyDeleteThank you also for the mention in your 'what to love' section. Most flattering to see that there.
Keep dreaming and forging future dreams!!!
Cheers and Best,
Gabrielle from Trailermade Production
Thanks so much for dropping by, Gabrielle! I meant what I said. I love your book trailers - they're intriguing, visually beautiful, and convey so much more than a back-cover blurb can. Here's to many more!
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