--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Don't be discouraged if you think you're…" description: "\"Don't be discouraged if you think you're not a great writer because terrible writers are successful in Hollywood\" — David Seltzer" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/928/david-seltzer-25963_discouraged_don-t-be-discouraged-if-you-think-you-re_2889912.png" --- # Don't be discouraged if you think you're not a great… ![“Don't be discouraged if you think you're not a great writer because terrible writers are successful in Hollywood” quote by David Seltzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/928/david-seltzer-25963_discouraged_don-t-be-discouraged-if-you-think-you-re_2889912.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/928/david-seltzer-25963_discouraged_don-t-be-discouraged-if-you-think-you-re_2889912.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/928/david-seltzer-25963_discouraged_don-t-be-discouraged-if-you-think-you-re_2889912.png) > “Don't be discouraged if you think you're not a great writer because terrible writers are successful in Hollywood” [David Seltzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-seltzer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Even “terrible” writers can succeed in Hollywood, so don’t be discouraged about your writing skill. **In simple terms:** Success isn’t limited to great writers. Key Takeaway Keep writing despite doubts. Themes creativity career perseverance Mood encouraging realistic Type advisory motivational When to use this quote - screenwriting workshops - career counseling - motivational talks Key Concepts industry dynamics self‑doubt Questions to Reflect On - What defines “terrible” in writing? - How can you improve while staying motivated? A Different Perspective May downplay skill development. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Discouraged](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discouraged/) [Discouraged Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discouraged-think-3582488/) [Great writers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-writers/) [Hollywood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hollywood/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful/) [Successful Hollywood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful-hollywood-1327067/) [Terrible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrible/) [Terrible Writers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrible-writers-4002382/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writer Terrible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer-terrible-4052498/) [Writers Successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writers-successful-3845685/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Kant and Hegel are interesting thinkers. But I am happy to insist that they are also terrible writers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alain-de-botton/kant-and-hegel-are-interesting-thinkers-but-i-am-happy-to-insist-that/) [Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-de-botton/) > [I think television keeps on being a place where writers can go, and if they're successful, they can have their way, and they can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-l-brooks/i-think-television-keeps-on-being-a-place-where-writers-can-go-and-if/) [James L. Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-l-brooks/) > [I know many older writers who were very successful and whose books are now out of print, so you have to go to antiquarian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-boyd/i-know-many-older-writers-who-were-very-successful-and-whose-books/) [William Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-boyd/) > [Don't be a writer, it's a terrible way to live your life, there's nothing to be gained from it but poverty and obscurity and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-auster/don-t-be-a-writer-it-s-a-terrible-way-to-live-your-life-there-s-2/) [Paul Auster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-auster/) > [Don't be a writer; it's a terrible way to live your life. There's nothing to be gained from it but poverty and obscurity and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-auster/don-t-be-a-writer-it-s-a-terrible-way-to-live-your-life-there-s/) [Paul Auster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-auster/) > [Don't get discouraged, and think positive all the time. Don't get down on yourself if you lose out a couple of times. It's just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larisa-oleynik/don-t-get-discouraged-and-think-positive-all-the-time-don-t-get-down/) [Larisa Oleynik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larisa-oleynik/) > [The only time I really become discouraged is when I think of all the things I would like to do and the little time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/the-only-time-i-really-become-discouraged-is-when-i-think-of-all-the/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [“If you make a choice in this conference and you stick to it to be an excellent person in everything you do and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/if-you-make-a-choice-in-this-conference-and-you-stick-to-it-to-be-an/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [I'm not successful in Hollywood, and I probably would never be. I think Hollywood has such an interesting model for success, and it creates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-c-h-pounder/i-m-not-successful-in-hollywood-and-i-probably-would-never-be-i-think/) [C. C. H. Pounder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-c-h-pounder/) > [I dont know that I want to act 15 years from now. I mean, I love the process of acting, but not the masochism.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-caulfield/i-dont-know-that-i-want-to-act-15-years-from-now-i-mean-i-love-the/) [Emma Caulfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-caulfield/) > [You do not need to look or be anorexic to be successful in Hollywood. The range of what's acceptable is a lot larger than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zooey-deschanel/you-do-not-need-to-look-or-be-anorexic-to-be-successful-in-hollywood/) [Zooey Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zooey-deschanel/) > [The way to be successful in Hollywood is to be as obnoxious as the next guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvester-stallone/the-way-to-be-successful-in-hollywood-is-to-be-as-obnoxious-as-the/) [Sylvester Stallone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvester-stallone/) > [I'm a painter, really. To be successful, you have to go to Hollywood, and I didn't like to travel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-r-giger/i-m-a-painter-really-to-be-successful-you-have-to-go-to-hollywood-and/) [H. R. Giger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-r-giger/) > [ Marla \[from Rules Don't Apply\] especially, believed that she has a certain set of rules that she had to abide by, in order to… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lily-collins/marla-from-rules-don-t-apply-especially-believed-that-she-has-a/) [Lily Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lily-collins/) > [No matter how successful you get in Hollywood, you cannot rest. Your new movie doesn't open well; they're looking for the next person to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-caulfield/no-matter-how-successful-you-get-in-hollywood-you-cannot-rest-your/) [Emma Caulfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-caulfield/) ## More by David Seltzer > [I think people wanted to see some specificity in faith on TV.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-seltzer/i-think-people-wanted-to-see-some-specificity-in-faith-on-tv/) [David Seltzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-seltzer/) > [I'm a real soft, sentimental guy who dreams up decapitations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-seltzer/i-m-a-real-soft-sentimental-guy-who-dreams-up-decapitations/) [David Seltzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-seltzer/) > [For some moments in life there are no words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-seltzer/for-some-moments-in-life-there-are-no-words/) [David Seltzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-seltzer/) > [When you watch television shows, as good as they are, like 'Joan of Arcadia' and 'Touched by an Angel,' everything is this kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-seltzer/when-you-watch-television-shows-as-good-as-they-are-like-joan-of/) [David Seltzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-seltzer/) > [I'm not afraid to say 'Jesus Christ,' and I'm not afraid to speak of those who worship him. After all, Jesus preached about love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-seltzer/i-m-not-afraid-to-say-jesus-christ-and-i-m-not-afraid-to-speak-of/) [David Seltzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-seltzer/) > [My role model, my idol, was Francois Truffaut.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-seltzer/my-role-model-my-idol-was-francois-truffaut/) [David Seltzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-seltzer/) > [I don't see myself as having a dark side.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-seltzer/i-don-t-see-myself-as-having-a-dark-side/) [David Seltzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-seltzer/) > [I think it's time to explore our relationship to the hereafter and the now and determine whether or not there is a part mankind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-seltzer/i-think-it-s-time-to-explore-our-relationship-to-the-hereafter-and/) [David Seltzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-seltzer/) > [I've always been a dog owner, from the time I was a little boy in Chicago.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-seltzer/i-ve-always-been-a-dog-owner-from-the-time-i-was-a-little-boy-in/) [David Seltzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-seltzer/) > [I have an imagination that will go in any direction it is prodded. I pride myself on being able to become enthusiastic about anything:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-seltzer/i-have-an-imagination-that-will-go-in-any-direction-it-is-prodded-i/) [David Seltzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-seltzer/) > [When a man tries to communicate with an animal, there's a relationship between them, and you generally find this between the dog and his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-seltzer/when-a-man-tries-to-communicate-with-an-animal-there-s-a-relationship/) [David Seltzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-seltzer/) > [I think the success of any movie is dependent upon it being a singular vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-seltzer/i-think-the-success-of-any-movie-is-dependent-upon-it-being-a/) [David Seltzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-seltzer/) > [I want to encourage the non-star, low-profile film, and maybe we've got a chance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-seltzer/i-want-to-encourage-the-non-star-low-profile-film-and-maybe-we-ve-got/) [David Seltzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-seltzer/) > [Teenagers have no advocate. I think any other minority so maligned by Hollywood would have pickets around the theater saying, 'We are not just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-seltzer/teenagers-have-no-advocate-i-think-any-other-minority-so-maligned-by/) [David Seltzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-seltzer/) > [There is an inalienable law. Whenever a character on screen pities himself, the audience stops pitying him. They will cry so long as the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-seltzer/there-is-an-inalienable-law-whenever-a-character-on-screen-pities/) [David Seltzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-seltzer/) [Explore all 22 David Seltzer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-seltzer/) ## More Discouraged quotes > [Broken by hardships, disappointments and tragedy, people can become discouraged and cynical. But lives can also be mended. Put back together well, they won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-goodier/broken-by-hardships-disappointments-and-tragedy-people-can-become/) [Steve Goodier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-goodier/) > [Marriages are always moving from one season to another. Sometimes we find ourselves in winter--discouraged, detached, and dissatisfied; other times we experience springtime, with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-chapman/marriages-are-always-moving-from-one-season-to-another-sometimes-we/) [Gary Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-chapman/) > [Many persons have been confused and discouraged at the very outset of the study by the great variety and the delicate distinctions of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-staunton/many-persons-have-been-confused-and-discouraged-at-the-very-outset-of/) [Howard Staunton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-staunton/) > [I think it's very easy to get discouraged early on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-lowe/i-think-it-s-very-easy-to-get-discouraged-early-on/) [Alice Lowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-lowe/) > [I am profoundly in the D's - discouraged, depressed, disheartened, disgusted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-dunbar-nelson/i-am-profoundly-in-the-d-s-discouraged-depressed-disheartened/) [Alice Dunbar Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-dunbar-nelson/) > [Well, I do expect a lot of myself. I'm a harsh critic because I know what I'm capable of. I have hit those occasional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-stevens/well-i-do-expect-a-lot-of-myself-i-m-a-harsh-critic-because-i-know/) [Dave Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-stevens/) > [I've taken my bumps and bruises, but you've got to be willing to get knocked down and pick yourself up. You can't get discouraged.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jermaine-o-neal/i-ve-taken-my-bumps-and-bruises-but-you-ve-got-to-be-willing-to-get/) [Jermaine O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jermaine-o-neal/) > [I am a little discouraged and irritated at the welfare recipient families growing in size all the time. Those of us who work and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilmar-moore/i-am-a-little-discouraged-and-irritated-at-the-welfare-recipient/) [Hilmar Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilmar-moore/) > [“The way you pass through the land of Learning is that you try a bunch of things. Fear would love for you to try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-acuff/the-way-you-pass-through-the-land-of-learning-is-that-you-try-a-bunch/) [Jon Acuff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-acuff/) > [I do what I believe the Lord did, and that is walk in love with all mankind, which I don't see a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tasha-smith/i-do-what-i-believe-the-lord-did-and-that-is-walk-in-love-with-all/) [Tasha Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tasha-smith/) > [You need never be discouraged or afraid. The way through difficulties has always been prepared for you, and you will find it if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/you-need-never-be-discouraged-or-afraid-the-way-through-difficulties/) [Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/) > [Lift up your eyes, discouraged one. When you feel like giving up, when they say it can't be done, it's up to you to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matty-mullins/lift-up-your-eyes-discouraged-one-when-you-feel-like-giving-up-when/) [Matty Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matty-mullins/) > [I think there are so many young girls out there who may be discouraged by the images they see in magazines or on TV,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-knox/i-think-there-are-so-many-young-girls-out-there-who-may-be/) [Kelly Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-knox/) > [The cure for impatience with the fulfillment of God's timetable is to believe His promises, obey His will, and leave the results to Him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/the-cure-for-impatience-with-the-fulfillment-of-god-s-timetable-is-to/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [I sometimes am discouraged by what seems to be a sort of conventional disparagement of humankind. I think often people feel that they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/i-sometimes-am-discouraged-by-what-seems-to-be-a-sort-of-conventional/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) [Browse all 540 Discouraged quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discouraged/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Don't be discouraged if you think you're not a great writer because terrible writers are successful in Hollywood", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "David Seltzer" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-seltzer/don-t-be-discouraged-if-you-think-you-re-not-a-great-writer-because/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Discouraged" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-seltzer/don-t-be-discouraged-if-you-think-you-re-not-a-great-writer-because/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/928/david-seltzer-25963_discouraged_don-t-be-discouraged-if-you-think-you-re_2889912.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/928/david-seltzer-25963_discouraged_don-t-be-discouraged-if-you-think-you-re_2889912.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/928/david-seltzer-25963_discouraged_don-t-be-discouraged-if-you-think-you-re_2889912.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Don't be discouraged if you think you're not a great writer because terrible writers are successful in…” — David Seltzer", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "David Seltzer", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-seltzer/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Don't be discouraged if you think...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-seltzer/don-t-be-discouraged-if-you-think-you-re-not-a-great-writer-because/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-seltzer/don-t-be-discouraged-if-you-think-you-re-not-a-great-writer-because/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```