--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Never try to copy other writers, and…" description: "\"Never try to copy other writers, and never try to have a formula. It has to come from your heart and soul.\" — Elizabeth Berg" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/451/elizabeth-berg-853_copy_never-try-to-copy-other-writers-and-neve_3193539.jpg" --- # Never try to copy other writers, and never try to have a… ![“Never try to copy other writers, and never try to have a formula. It has to come from your heart and soul.” quote by Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/451/elizabeth-berg-853_copy_never-try-to-copy-other-writers-and-neve_3193539.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/451/elizabeth-berg-853_copy_never-try-to-copy-other-writers-and-neve_3193539.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/451/elizabeth-berg-853_copy_never-try-to-copy-other-writers-and-neve_3193539.jpg) > “Never try to copy other writers, and never try to have a formula. It has to come from your heart and soul.” [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The author urges writers to write authentically, avoiding imitation and rigid formulas. **In simple terms:** Write from the heart. Key Takeaway Cultivate original voice rather than copying others. Themes authenticity creativity individuality Mood inspirational thoughtful Type literary advice When to use this quote - novel writing - blogging - journalism - screenwriting Key Concepts voice artistic integrity Questions to Reflect On - What core values guide your writing? - How do you resist the pressure to follow trends? A Different Perspective Finding a balance between originality and market expectations can be challenging. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Come Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/come-heart/) [Copy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/copy/) [Formula Come](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/formula-come-5899515/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Heart and soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart-and-soul/) [Never](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/never/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Try](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/try/) [Try Copy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/try-copy-615512/) [Try Formula](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/try-formula-717840/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writers Try](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writers-try-2051678/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Never TRY TO DO A copy of any one Be in a position where others takes you there as a ROLE MODEL](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajat-dogra/never-try-to-do-a-copy-of-any-one-be-in-a-position-where-others-takes/) [Rajat Dogra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajat-dogra/) > [If you're trying to do what's popular now, you're way behind already. By the time you record it and do it and try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-estefan/if-you-re-trying-to-do-what-s-popular-now-you-re-way-behind-already/) [Gloria Estefan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-estefan/) > [You were born God's original. Try not to become someone's copy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-wright-edelman/you-were-born-god-s-original-try-not-to-become-someone-s-copy/) [Marian Wright Edelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marian-wright-edelman/) > [If you try to copy something exactly you won't get it correct, because you don't share the same tradition and context.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-craig-martin/if-you-try-to-copy-something-exactly-you-won-t-get-it-correct-because/) [Michael Craig-Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-craig-martin/) > [Don't try to copy me. Don't try to copy any swing out there. Just swing your swing. Do what you can do. That's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-rahm/don-t-try-to-copy-me-don-t-try-to-copy-any-swing-out-there-just-swing/) [Jon Rahm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-rahm/) > [I try not to do anything by formula.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-lennon/i-try-not-to-do-anything-by-formula/) [Sean Lennon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-lennon/) > [Even if you try to copy a film shot by shot, you still can't. It's still your own film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-van-sant/even-if-you-try-to-copy-a-film-shot-by-shot-you-still-can-t-it-s/) [Gus Van Sant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-van-sant/) > [They try copy my swagger. I'm on that next shit now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/they-try-copy-my-swagger-i-m-on-that-next-shit-now/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Do not be awe struck by other people and try to copy them. Nobody can be you as efficiently as you can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/do-not-be-awe-struck-by-other-people-and-try-to-copy-them-nobody-can/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Bad writers are those who try to express their own feeble ideas in the language of good ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/bad-writers-are-those-who-try-to-express-their-own-feeble-ideas-in/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [There are other writers who try for subtle and minimalists effects, but I don't travel in that tribe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-conroy/there-are-other-writers-who-try-for-subtle-and-minimalists-effects/) [Pat Conroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-conroy/) > [Everyone has his own particular talent, niche and interests. Which isn't to say that you shouldn't try new genres or styles or explore forms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-alexander/everyone-has-his-own-particular-talent-niche-and-interests-which-isn/) [Kevin Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-alexander/) > [“Writers, we can't please everyone, nor should we try.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-e-fisher/writers-we-can-t-please-everyone-nor-should-we-try/) [R.E. Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-e-fisher/) > [Natural writers will often try to force themselves into a form - novel, story, screenplay, or poem - that is not necessarily the appropriate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-olen-butler/natural-writers-will-often-try-to-force-themselves-into-a-form-novel/) [Robert Olen Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-olen-butler/) > [Touching on universality is an important part of effective storytelling, but the problem with cliches is that they are tired and dull. And that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-syjuco/touching-on-universality-is-an-important-part-of-effective/) [Miguel Syjuco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-syjuco/) ## More by Elizabeth Berg > [Never be afraid of doing the thing you know in your heart is right, even if others don't agree.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/never-be-afraid-of-doing-the-thing-you-know-in-your-heart-is-right/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [“I think the reason we're cruel sometimes is that we're afraid we're going to like something.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/i-think-the-reason-we-re-cruel-sometimes-is-that-we-re-afraid-we-re/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [If there were a category in the Olympics for laundry, my mother would have been a gold-medal winner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/if-there-were-a-category-in-the-olympics-for-laundry-my-mother-would/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [“If you say something over and over again, it begins to lose it's meaning... Say anything enough times and it becomes gibberish.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/if-you-say-something-over-and-over-again-it-begins-to-lose-it-s/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [“You know, sometimes marriage is iron. Sometimes it’s tissue paper. And I think the times it’s tissue paper are when you need to keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/you-know-sometimes-marriage-is-iron-sometimes-it-s-tissue-paper-and-i/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [“It's not that he doesn't smile; it's that if his smile were something you drew, you'd erase it, thinking, Wrong.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/it-s-not-that-he-doesn-t-smile-it-s-that-if-his-smile-were-something/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [People say you should give until it hurts. I say you should give until it stops hurting. Know what I mean?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/people-say-you-should-give-until-it-hurts-i-say-you-should-give-until/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [“I should have said “powder room.” That would evoke the image of me sitting before a beautiful gold mirror, a vase of fresh flowers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/i-should-have-said-powder-room-that-would-evoke-the-image-of-me/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [Sometimes the best reading comes just by accident. Someone talks about a book, or you're just wandering the stacks in the library, and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/sometimes-the-best-reading-comes-just-by-accident-someone-talks-about/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [“I don’t think Martha’s so bad. I think I want her for a friend instead of you. When I look at her magazine, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/i-don-t-think-martha-s-so-bad-i-think-i-want-her-for-a-friend-instead/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [\*We give so little when it's in us always to give so much more. It's bothering to listen with an open heart to someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/we-give-so-little-when-it-s-in-us-always-to-give-so-much-more-it-s/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [We're not just writers; we're readers probably more than anything else. That's how you learn how to write and how you learn to appreciate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/we-re-not-just-writers-we-re-readers-probably-more-than-anything-else/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [I thought of the priest who'd told me that many religions hold that it is easier to be closely connected to people we love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/i-thought-of-the-priest-who-d-told-me-that-many-religions-hold-that/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [“How is it that we dare to honk at others in traffic, when we know nothing about where they have just come from or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/how-is-it-that-we-dare-to-honk-at-others-in-traffic-when-we-know/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [The truth is, we usually only show our unhappiness to another woman. I suppose this is one of our problems. And yet it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/the-truth-is-we-usually-only-show-our-unhappiness-to-another-woman-i/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) [Explore all 350 Elizabeth Berg quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) ## More Copy quotes > [Would ya like a copy of my butt? -Butt-Head](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beavis-and-butthead/would-ya-like-a-copy-of-my-butt-butt-head/) [Beavis And Butthead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beavis-and-butthead/) > [“All religions worthy of the name are now making great efforts to purify their doctrines and return to their original standpoint, — all except…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virchand-gandhi/all-religions-worthy-of-the-name-are-now-making-great-efforts-to/) [Virchand Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virchand-gandhi/) > [I've reread 'The Secret Garden' every year as an adult. I have a battered copy on my bookshelf - it's really quite a mess!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-potter/i-ve-reread-the-secret-garden-every-year-as-an-adult-i-have-a/) [Ellen Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-potter/) > [We call ourselves creators and we just copy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauryn-hill/we-call-ourselves-creators-and-we-just-copy/) [Lauryn Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauryn-hill/) > [“Everytime you make a copy of the copy, you lose clarity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-e-nelson/everytime-you-make-a-copy-of-the-copy-you-lose-clarity/) [Alan E. Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-e-nelson/) > [William Regal is an obvious influence, as is Fit Finlay - you can see that in my style of wrestling - but I try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-dunne/william-regal-is-an-obvious-influence-as-is-fit-finlay-you-can-see/) [Pete Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-dunne/) > [A presentation copy...is a copy of a book whoch does not sell, sent you by the author, with his foolish autograph at the beginning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/a-presentation-copy-is-a-copy-of-a-book-whoch-does-not-sell-sent-you/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [Obviously, Fred Astaire was a legend. I've tried to copy some of his movements.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-moir/obviously-fred-astaire-was-a-legend-i-ve-tried-to-copy-some-of-his/) [Scott Moir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-moir/) > [We are all born originals, why is it so many of us die copies?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-young/we-are-all-born-originals-why-is-it-so-many-of-us-die-copies/) [Edward Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-young/) > [Why would anybody hire a someone who is copying someone else when he can get the original one?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kk/why-would-anybody-hire-a-someone-who-is-copying-someone-else-when-he/) [KK](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kk/) > [I used to copy looks from fashion ads in my mother's 'Cosmopolitan' magazines and steal her eye shadows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffree-star/i-used-to-copy-looks-from-fashion-ads-in-my-mother-s-cosmopolitan/) [Jeffree Star](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffree-star/) > [I like to read non-fiction on my e-reader, but as for fiction, I usually like to have a copy to keep at home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-han/i-like-to-read-non-fiction-on-my-e-reader-but-as-for-fiction-i/) [Jenny Han](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-han/) > [I've always avoided publicity. I've never been good copy at any stage of my life. I don't strive for it, because I don't think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-noll/i-ve-always-avoided-publicity-i-ve-never-been-good-copy-at-any-stage/) [Chuck Noll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-noll/) > [You can copy, but hold the applause you get the satisfaction of mind can not](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/you-can-copy-but-hold-the-applause-you-get-the-satisfaction-of-mind/) [Mak\_786](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mak-786/) > [Long time ago, people would make the Bible, right? The guy said it, somebody wrote it down. And then if you wanted another copy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-burns/long-time-ago-people-would-make-the-bible-right-the-guy-said-it/) [Ursula Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-burns/) [Browse all 594 Copy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/copy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Never try to copy other writers, and never try to have a formula. 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