4 FAVORITE MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES: AND HOW I USE THEM

My favorite quotations list is fluid, always evolving. Every now and then I examine the list and determine how these apply to my personal philosophy. * “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” — Yogi Berra How this applies: Life is one long journey, made up of choices. Often there is no right or wrong to the choices we’re faced with. You simply make a decision and live with the results. No regrets. The lesson you learn — good or bad — is from the outcome. * In the television detective series “Castle,” an overly-enthusiastic crime writer has just published his first novel. When approaching author Michael Connolly (playing himself), the young writer asks Connolly how he reacted to publishing his own first book. “I kept my mouth shut and wrote twenty-two more,” Connolly deadpanned. Needless to say, the prideful eager beaver tucked his tail between his legs. How it applies: My ultimate goal is to publish 30 books. Now that I’ve become my own agent and publisher, things should move quite a bit quicker than my last three years of being stuck in publishing limbo. The lesson? Shut up and write. * On the topic of singers wanting to sound like the next Jim Morrison of The Doors. “Jim Morrison is unique…. If you want to be like Jim Morrison, don’t try. It’s about finding your own place in the world.” — Marilyn Manson, Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. How it applies: Every writer must find his/her own voice. Attempting to mimic a favorite author will only result in a karaoke-singer impression of the true artist. It’s a complete waste of time and effort. * On one of his later birthdays, Edgar Allen Poe was asked why he wasn’t celebrating. Poe gloomily retorted: “Every birthday is one long step closer to my grave.” How this applies: Who can argue? Like it or not, we all are headed in the same direction. It’s the reason I’ve posted a tombstone with my name on it on my website. A friendly reminder of where I’m headed. Shady Lane.