Sunday Quote

[celestialgldfsh]

"If you write a hundred short stories and they are bad, that doesn’t mean you’ve failed. You fail only if you stop writing." ~Ray Bradbury

[I think my critical subconscious is a lot like that evil Duck Hunt dog. I can't successfully shoot/silence that snide little inner voice, so I just go on to the next duck and see if my aim is true.]

Comments

[greysil]

I used to save a shot for the dog, even though it did no good. ^^

[celestialgldfsh]

That dog used to make me so angry. I always tried to shoot it, though.

[msstacy13]

Of course, it depends on how you define failure.
Seriously, if anyone writes that many bad stories,
they have at least failed to learn from their mistakes.
And they do say,
"If at first you don't succeed, try something you're better at."

That said,
don't let me discourage you,
because "bad" can be a matter of opinion.
So perhaps that should be rephrased-
If you write a hundred short stories and they are unpublished,
that doesn't mean you've failed.
You only fail if you believe The New Yorker
is the only magazine that matters.

[celestialgldfsh]

"Bad" certainly is a matter of opinion. In my case, I learn from mistakes... and then find totally new ways to screw up. The cycle continues!

[dogzilla30]

I like the quote!

[celestialgldfsh]

I think Bradbury could talk about a bathroom and make it sound quotable and poignant.