Bones Quote by Dani Shapiro
“A writer with her work needs to be like a dog with a bone all the time. She needs to know where she's hidden it. Where she's stored the good stuff. She needs to keep gnawing at it, even after all the meat seems to be gone. When a student of mine says (okay, whines) that she's impatient, or tired, or the worst: isn't it good enough? this may be harsh, but she loses just a little bit of my respect. Because there is no room for impatience, or exhaustion, or self-satisfaction, or laziness. All of these really mean, simply, that the inner censor has won the day.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Writing Workshop, date unknown
A writer must constantly guard and refine their ideas, persistently working on them despite fatigue or criticism, lest complacency dominate.
In simple terms: Writers must keep digging for value, never giving up.
Key Takeaway
Persist and protect your creative work.
Themes
creativity
discipline
perseverance
Mood
determined
reflective
Type
advice
motivational
When to use this quote
- writing sessions
- editing drafts
- creative blocks
- self‑critique
- deadline pressure
Key Concepts
self‑censorship
focus
resilience
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance persistence with self‑care?
- What habits keep your inner critic in check?
A Different Perspective
If you become too exhausted, quality may suffer and inspiration can wane.
