neil gaiman appreciation

Archive 2017

Some of my favorite quotes of all time were spoken by Neil Gaiman. It seems I can find a quote for almost anything I am going through.

In regards to being a writer:

“Being a writer is a very peculiar sort of a job: it's always you versus a blank sheet of paper (or a blank screen) and quite often the blank piece of paper wins.”
― Neil Gaiman

For when I need to slay my dragons:

“Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.”
― Neil Gaiman, Coraline

On Self Doubt:

“You have to believe. Otherwise, it will never happen.”
― Neil Gaiman, Stardust

“Sometimes you wake up. Sometimes the fall kills you. And sometimes, when you fall, you fly.”
― Neil Gaiman, Fables and Reflections

On Simply Living My Best Life:

“Do not lose hope — what you seek will be found. Trust ghosts. Trust those that you have helped to help you in their turn. Trust dreams. Trust your heart, and trust your story. (from 'Instructions')”
― Neil Gaiman, Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders

“May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art -- write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.”
― Neil Gaiman

Making Mistakes:

“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes...you're Doing Something.”
― Neil Gaiman

On Focusing On The Positives:

“Tomorrow may be hell, but today was a good writing day, and on the good writing days nothing else matters.”
― Neil Gaiman

Being Brave:

“Because,' she said, 'when you're scared but you still do it anyway, that's brave.”
― Neil Gaiman, Coraline

On Dreams:

“That which is dreamed can never be lost, can never be undreamed.”
― Neil Gaiman, The Wake

Some Are Wonderfully Silly:

“Biting's excellent. It's like kissing - only there is a winner.”
― Neil Gaiman

Some Are Simple and Yet Speak Loud Truths:

“Libraries are our friends.”
― Neil Gaiman

And some are just simply beautiful:

“She says nothing at all, but simply stares upward into the dark sky and watches, with sad eyes, the slow dance of the infinite stars.”
― Neil Gaiman, Stardust

For all these reasons and more I am inspired by Neil Gaiman. I actually have a list of these quotes and a few others I did not include, hanging in my home office, right next to where I write. When I'm feeling discouraged I can look over and see his wisdom looking back at me. I have said it before, and I will say it again. My biggest dream is to become a published author. I will see my novel in stores one day. But a secondary goal is to one day meet this legend of a man and to be able to simply say, "Thank you Neil Gaiman for inspiring me every day."

Also a quick note to Mr. Gaiman: In my story, the princess saves herself.