Books Quote by Sarah Waters
““Don't panic. Midway through writing a novel, I have regularly experienced moments of bowel-curdling terror, as I contemplate the drivel on the screen before me and see beyond it, in quick succession, the derisive reviews, the friends' embarrassment, the failing career, the dwindling income, the repossessed house, the divorce . . . Working doggedly on through crises like these, however, has always got me there in the end. Leaving the desk for a while can help. Talking the problem through can help me recall what I was trying to achieve before I got stuck. Going for a long walk almost always gets me thinking about my manuscript in a slightly new way. And if all else fails, there's prayer. St Francis de Sales, the patron saint of writers, has often helped me out in a crisis. If you want to spread your net more widely, you could try appealing to Calliope, the muse of epic poetry, too.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Guardian, “Sarah Waters on Writing”, 2015
The quote describes coping with writer’s block and fear of failure by taking breaks, talking it out, walking, praying, and invoking muses.
In simple terms: Breaks, conversation, walking, prayer, and inspiration help overcome creative paralysis.
Key Takeaway
Use breaks and talk through problems to regain focus.
Themes
creativity
resilience
mental health
faith
inspiration
Mood
reflective
determined
hopeful
Type
advice
personal narrative
motivational
When to use this quote
- authoring a novel
- facing criticism
- financial stress
- personal crisis
Key Concepts
Writer’s block
self‑doubt
productivity
spirituality
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you recognize when a break is needed?
- What role does faith play in your creative process?
A Different Perspective
Sometimes external pressures can still overwhelm internal strategies.
