Writing Analytics

14 Quotes on Writing by Ray Bradbury

Get inspired by the world's best writers.
Quotes illustration

Ray Bradbury was an American fantasy, science fiction, horror and mystery author. He is best known for his dystopian novel Fahrenheit 451 and his science fiction and horror short stories. He received numerous awards including the 2000 National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.

Ray Bradbury on Writing

“Your intuition knows what to write, so get out of the way.”
#107
Ray Bradbury
“Just write every day of your life. Read intensely. Then see what happens. Most of my friends who are put on that diet have very pleasant careers.”
#212
Ray Bradbury
“Quantity produces quality. If you only write a few things, you're doomed.”
#225
Ray Bradbury
“You grow ravenous. You run fevers. You know exhilarations. You can't sleep at night, because your beast-creature ideas want out and turn you in your bed. It is a grand way to live.”
#282
Ray Bradbury
“You fail only if you stop writing.”
#297
Ray Bradbury
“We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out.”
#674
Ray Bradbury
“First, find out what your hero wants, then just follow him.”
#675
Ray Bradbury
“It takes writing a billion bad words before you get to the good ones.”
#676
Ray Bradbury
“The answer to all writing, to any career for that matter, is love.”
#677
Ray Bradbury
“Self-consciousness is the enemy of all art, be it acting, writing, painting, or living itself, which is the greatest art of all.”
#678
Ray Bradbury
“Every story I've written was written because I had to write it. Writing stories is like breathing for me; it is my life.”
#679
Ray Bradbury
“The trouble with a lot of people who try to write is they intellectualize about it. That comes after. The intellect is given to us by God to test things once they’re done, not to worry about things ahead of time.”
#680
Ray Bradbury
“And what, you ask, does writing teach us? First and foremost, it reminds us that we are alive and that it is a gift and a privilege, not a right.”
#681
Ray Bradbury
“I did what most writers do at their beginnings: emulated my elders, imitated my peers, thus turning away from any possibility of discovering truths beneath my skin and behind my eye.”
#682
Ray Bradbury
Back to All Quotes
The Ultimate Productivity Tool for Writers
Writing software that keeps you accountable and motivated to keep going.
Learn More
Background illustration
Focus Saved In my younger and more vulnerable years years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since. “Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone,” he told me, “just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.” He didn’t say any more, but we’ve always been unusually communicative in a reserved way, and I understood that he meant a great deal more than that. In consequence, I’m inclined to reserve all judgements, a habit that has opened up many curious natures to me and also made me the victim of not a few veteran bores. | The Great Gatsby Chapter I Words 106 Writing Time 00:18:20 / 00:30:00 Speed 342 words/hour
In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since. “Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone,” he told me, “just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.” He didn’t say any more, but we’ve always been unusually communicative in a reserved way, and I understood that he meant a great deal more than that. In consequence, I’m inclined to reserve all judgements, a habit that has opened up many curious natures to me and also made me the victim of not a few veteran bores. | The Great Gatsby 12:46:32 Chapter I 106 W 00:18:20