6 Quotes From ROCKY That Will Make You a Better Writer
Because like Rocky, writing is all about heart, perseverance, and grit.
Writing is kind of like boxing.
You enter a metaphorical ring and try your best to outlast the opponent. In the case of writing, the opposition is a blank page and the fear of rejection.
Here’s why writers should strive to be like the Italian Stallion, Rocky Balboa.
Rocky is one of the greatest films of all time. It’s the ultimate underdog story. A young and inexperienced boxer gets the chance of a lifetime and makes the most of his moment.
One of my favorite things about the Rocky movies is how they transcend sports movies. You don’t have to like boxing to love Rocky.
Winning Best Picture Picture, Best Director, and Best Editing at the 1977 Academy Awards, the first movie stands as a masterpiece of heart, perseverance, and grit.
The entire franchise is filled with uplifting and thought-provoking quotes that will make you stand up and pump your fist.
Here are a few quotes from the Rocky films that will make you a better writer.
“Going in one more round when you don’t think you can. That’s what makes all the difference in your life”
Writing and discouragement go hand in hand. But you have to keep fighting, no matter how much it hurts. This means that you have to keep writing no matter how much it hurts. If you think that you can’t get that script submitted or accepted, try it anyway. Fight for your success and always go for one more round.
“If I can change and you can change, everybody can change.”
Sometimes you just have to change things up. If something isn’t working, then you must have the strength to change it. Accept feedback and apply the notes. If you think it’s too late to make changes to your writing style or your writing career just listen to Rocky telling you that you can in fact change.
“I stopped thinking the way other people think a long time ago. You gotta think like you think.”
You gotta write like you write. Don’t try to use someone else’s voice in your writing. This doesn’t mean you can’t write for your audience. It simply means that you need to be genuine in your writing. Your voice and the way you think is important to your audience and process.
“You can’t learn anything when you’re talking. That’s a fact of life. As long as you’re talking, you’re not listening.”
I firmly believe that reading makes you a better writer. If you want to be a screenwriter, read scripts. If you want to be a playwright, read plays. If you want to be a novelist, read novels, If you want to be a blog writer, read blogs. Listen to what other people are saying. You can’t write in a bubble.
“One step at a time. One punch at a time. One round at a time.”
One word at a time. One sentence at a time. One post at a time. That’s all I’m gonna say here.
“Until you start believing in yourself, you ain’t gonna have a life.”
In order to be a successful writer, you have to believe in yourself. I love writing plays and I believe in my ability to create interesting stories that people become invested in. I don’t think I’m the greatest at anything. But I believe in myself just enough to keep going.
If you aren’t doing something that makes you happy because you don’t believe in yourself then “you ain’t gonna have a life.”
Gonna Fly Now
Rocky can teach you about life, boxing, and even writing. Watch a Rocky movie and dare yourself to not be inspired.
Read these quotes and think about how they can apply to your writing career. You may discover that they just might help you be a better writer.
Because like Rocky, writing is all about heart, perseverance, and grit.
Every writer should have a little bit of the Rocky mentality inside of them. We're all underdogs, so let’s start fighting and writing like it.
