--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There's no \"magic secret\"; writing is…" description: "\"There's no \"magic secret\"; writing is like everything else; ten percent inspiration or talent, and ninety percent hard work. Persistence; keeping at it..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a8/marion-zimmer-bradley-2906_bored_there-s-no-magic-secret-writing-is-like_2845401.jpg" --- # There's no "magic secret"; writing is like everything… ![“There's no "magic secret"; writing is like everything else; ten percent inspiration or talent, and ninety percent hard work. Persistence; keeping at it till you get there. As Agnes de Mille said, it means working every day—bored, tired, weary, or with a fever of a hundred and two.” quote by Marion Zimmer Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a8/marion-zimmer-bradley-2906_bored_there-s-no-magic-secret-writing-is-like_2845401.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a8/marion-zimmer-bradley-2906_bored_there-s-no-magic-secret-writing-is-like_2845401.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a8/marion-zimmer-bradley-2906_bored_there-s-no-magic-secret-writing-is-like_2845401.jpg) > “There's no "magic secret"; writing is like everything else; ten percent inspiration or talent, and ninety percent hard work. Persistence; keeping at it till you get there. As Agnes de Mille said, it means working every day—bored, tired, weary, or with a fever of a hundred and two.” [Marion Zimmer Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-zimmer-bradley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Hard work, not secret talent, drives success; persistence is essential. **In simple terms:** Success comes from hard work and persistence. Key Takeaway Focus on consistent effort. Themes work ethic creativity perseverance Mood determined inspirational Type advice motivational When to use this quote - writing - artistic pursuits - career advancement - learning new skills Key Concepts discipline skill development Questions to Reflect On - What daily habit sustains your progress? - How do you balance inspiration with effort? A Different Perspective Talent still matters for initial breakthroughs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bored](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bored/) [Hard work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard-work/) [Inspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration/) [Magic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magic/) [Persistence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persistence/) [Secret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/secret/) [Talent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talent/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“Send me away to a prison where they keep magicians. So I can perform my magic for those who are in the secret.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-buckley/send-me-away-to-a-prison-where-they-keep-magicians-so-i-can-perform/) [Ray Buckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-buckley/) > [“So it’s really best to keep your secrets when you have them, for their own good, as well as yours. “This is, in part,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-morgenstern/so-it-s-really-best-to-keep-your-secrets-when-you-have-them-for-their-2/) [Erin Morgenstern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-morgenstern/) > [“how there were echoes all about her, sweet in her ears, of the many times her father had told her that he found her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/how-there-were-echoes-all-about-her-sweet-in-her-ears-of-the-many/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [“So often we look for a magic secret or new technique that will produce tremendous returns and results with little or no work. Those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cameron-c-taylor/so-often-we-look-for-a-magic-secret-or-new-technique-that-will/) [Cameron C. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cameron-c-taylor/) > [This is, in part, why there is less magic in the world today. Magic is secret and secrets are magic, after all, and years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-morgenstern/this-is-in-part-why-there-is-less-magic-in-the-world-today-magic-is/) [Erin Morgenstern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-morgenstern/) > [All human beings have magic in them. The secret is to know how to use this magic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sybil-leek/all-human-beings-have-magic-in-them-the-secret-is-to-know-how-to-use/) Sybil Leek > [“Sometimes, it seems that the problems of two people who love each other are hopeless, the wall that separates them too high to ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-goodman/sometimes-it-seems-that-the-problems-of-two-people-who-love-each/) [Linda Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-goodman/) > [There is no magic. There is no secret. You need your sleep. 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Being successful means that you're working hard and walking your walk every day.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlon-wayans/success-is-not-a-destination-but-the-road-that-you-re-on-being/) [Marlon Wayans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlon-wayans/) > [You can't copy anybody and end with anything. If you copy, it means you're working without any real feeling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billie-holiday/you-can-t-copy-anybody-and-end-with-anything-if-you-copy-it-means-you/) [Billie Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billie-holiday/) > [It means working harder to do the research but I don't really mind - I don't think I have what it takes to chase…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffery-deaver/it-means-working-harder-to-do-the-research-but-i-don-t-really-mind-i/) [Jeffery Deaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffery-deaver/) > [I'm trying to have some longevity in this business. If that means not working for a while and just picking the right job, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-paul/i-m-trying-to-have-some-longevity-in-this-business-if-that-means-not/) [Aaron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-paul/) > [If you copy, it means you're working without any real feeling. No two people on earth are alike, and it's got to be that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billie-holiday/if-you-copy-it-means-you-re-working-without-any-real-feeling-no-two/) [Billie Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billie-holiday/) ## More by Marion Zimmer Bradley > [I do tend to lose track since the kids are out of school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-zimmer-bradley/i-do-tend-to-lose-track-since-the-kids-are-out-of-school/) [Marion Zimmer Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-zimmer-bradley/) > [“this is the great secret, which was known to all educated men in our day: that by what men think, we create the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-zimmer-bradley/this-is-the-great-secret-which-was-known-to-all-educated-men-in-our/) [Marion Zimmer Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-zimmer-bradley/) > [“He was guarded behind a hundred fences of reserve and anger.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-zimmer-bradley/he-was-guarded-behind-a-hundred-fences-of-reserve-and-anger/) [Marion Zimmer Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-zimmer-bradley/) > [“My love for you is a prayer, she thought. Love is the only prayer I know.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-zimmer-bradley/my-love-for-you-is-a-prayer-she-thought-love-is-the-only-prayer-i-know/) [Marion Zimmer Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-zimmer-bradley/) > [“It is hardly lonely in a nunnery, son, with other women. And God is there." Morgause said, "I would rather dwell in a hermitage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-zimmer-bradley/it-is-hardly-lonely-in-a-nunnery-son-with-other-women-and-god-is/) [Marion Zimmer Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-zimmer-bradley/) > [“Customs have no reason; they simply are.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-zimmer-bradley/customs-have-no-reason-they-simply-are/) [Marion Zimmer Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-zimmer-bradley/) > [“Beat me instead," she cried, "It's not Darren's fault! I lost her, I let her go--I cannot be free, I must be chained inside…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-zimmer-bradley/beat-me-instead-she-cried-it-s-not-darren-s-fault-i-lost-her-i-let/) [Marion Zimmer Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-zimmer-bradley/) > [“For this is the thing the priests do not know, with their One God and One Truth; that there is no such thing as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-zimmer-bradley/for-this-is-the-thing-the-priests-do-not-know-with-their-one-god-and/) [Marion Zimmer Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-zimmer-bradley/) > [I have neither talent or taste for kingship, cousin. I am a warrior, and to dwell always in one place and live at court…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-zimmer-bradley/i-have-neither-talent-or-taste-for-kingship-cousin-i-am-a-warrior-and/) [Marion Zimmer Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-zimmer-bradley/) > [Fear is a way of not allowing yourself to choose freely what you will do next; a way of letting your body's reflexes, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-zimmer-bradley/fear-is-a-way-of-not-allowing-yourself-to-choose-freely-what-you-will/) [Marion Zimmer Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-zimmer-bradley/) > [“But I am Niniane of Avalon, and I account to no man on this earth for what I do with what is mine --…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-zimmer-bradley/but-i-am-niniane-of-avalon-and-i-account-to-no-man-on-this-earth-for/) [Marion Zimmer Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-zimmer-bradley/) > [“ They set down all their knowledge on bits of leather or waxed wood or tablets of stone and think that is wisdom. What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-zimmer-bradley/they-set-down-all-their-knowledge-on-bits-of-leather-or-waxed-wood-or/) [Marion Zimmer Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-zimmer-bradley/) > [“ghosts. He had learned a little of the history of Halyn House”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-zimmer-bradley/ghosts-he-had-learned-a-little-of-the-history-of-halyn-house/) [Marion Zimmer Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-zimmer-bradley/) > [And I must believe that man has the power to know the right, to choose between good and evil and know that his choice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-zimmer-bradley/and-i-must-believe-that-man-has-the-power-to-know-the-right-to-choose/) [Marion Zimmer Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-zimmer-bradley/) > [Arthur, their young king, like a hero out of legend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-zimmer-bradley/arthur-their-young-king-like-a-hero-out-of-legend/) [Marion Zimmer Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-zimmer-bradley/) [Explore all 136 Marion Zimmer Bradley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-zimmer-bradley/) ## More Bored quotes > [Normal is so Boring!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/normal-is-so-boring/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“If you're focused, you can't get bored.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alin-sav/if-you-re-focused-you-can-t-get-bored/) [Alin Sav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alin-sav/) > [I am fairly tired--bored beyond endurance--by the world we live in, and its ideals, and am ready to say so, not violently, but kindly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-adams/i-am-fairly-tired-bored-beyond-endurance-by-the-world-we-live-in-and/) [Henry Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-adams/) > [Being blonde, for me, means never having to say: 'I'll have the honey-striped half-head of highlights for £200,' to a bored colourist in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-johnson/being-blonde-for-me-means-never-having-to-say-i-ll-have-the-honey/) [Rachel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-johnson/) > [Someone else who liked what I did might turn around and say, "She's reworking and rethinking everything. She could just be making blankets now,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-emin/someone-else-who-liked-what-i-did-might-turn-around-and-say-she-s/) [Tracey Emin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-emin/) > [ There was another reason \[she\] took her books whenever they went away. They were her home when she was somewhere strange. They were familiar… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornelia-funke/there-was-another-reason-she-took-her-books-whenever-they-went-away/) [Cornelia Funke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornelia-funke/) > [I'm bored of being bored because being bored is very boring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sachithra/i-m-bored-of-being-bored-because-being-bored-is-very-boring/) [Sachithra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sachithra/) > [When I get bored I say fck the police](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-i-get-bored-i-say-fck-the-police/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I always knew that I was kind of bored; the regular life of a child didn't fit me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-ricci/i-always-knew-that-i-was-kind-of-bored-the-regular-life-of-a-child/) [Christina Ricci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-ricci/) > [The only activity a cynic will find contagious is yawning, that is, with other people, at other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/the-only-activity-a-cynic-will-find-contagious-is-yawning-that-is/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [When people look in the mirror, sometimes they see are their shells in the mirror, nothing else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-people-look-in-the-mirror-sometimes-they-see-are-their-shells-in/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I was taking all prints and I brought them to the Magnum meetings, trying the old Josef Koudelka trick: Give them to photographers, who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-van-agtmael/i-was-taking-all-prints-and-i-brought-them-to-the-magnum-meetings/) [Peter van Agtmael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-van-agtmael/) > [“She wouldn't pick up a fight him just because she was bored.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rainbow-rowell/she-wouldn-t-pick-up-a-fight-him-just-because-she-was-bored/) [Rainbow Rowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainbow-rowell/) > [...sometimes I get tired. Sometimes I get bored. And sometimes all I want, more than anything else in the world, is to go on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiersten-white/sometimes-i-get-tired-sometimes-i-get-bored-and-sometimes-all-i-want/) [Kiersten White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiersten-white/) > [I was sober for five years a long time ago and was just bored out of my tree.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-sheen/i-was-sober-for-five-years-a-long-time-ago-and-was-just-bored-out-of/) [Charlie Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-sheen/) [Browse all 2,067 Bored quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bored/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There's no \"magic secret\"; writing is like everything else; ten percent inspiration or talent, and ninety percent hard work. Persistence; keeping at it till you get there. 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