Skip to main content

Remembering Harper Lee, Author of To Kill a Mockingbird, & Her Famous Writer's Digest Quote

In honor of the great Harper Lee's passing, we'd like to share her writing advice from the September 1961 Writer's Digest.

In honor of the great Harper Lee's passing, we'd like to share her writing advice from the September 1961 Writer's Digest:

"I would advise anyone who aspires to a writing career,
that before developing his talent he would be wise to develop a thick hide."
—Harper Lee
[Like this quote? Click here to Tweet it!]

InstructionsforQuotes_HarperLee-WritersDigest

Here's the issue in which it appeared:

WD_ShouldIBeWriter

RIP Harper Lee. Thank you for your contributions to the writing world.

Tags
terms:
Brian Klems
writer's digest wd presents
Resources

WD Presents: Our Brand-New Digital Guide, 6 WDU Courses, and More!

This week, we’re excited to announce our new “Get Published in 2022” digital guide, six new WDU courses, and more!

2 hours ago
5 Tips for Keeping Your Writing Rolling
Writing Habits and Practices

5 Tips for Keeping Your Writing Rolling

The occasional bump in the writing process is normal, but it can be difficult to work through. Here, author Genevieve Essig shares five ways to keep your writing rolling.

21 hours ago
From Script
Resources

How to Write from a Place of Truth and Desire and Bending the Rules in Screenwriting (From Script)

In this week’s round up brought to us by Script magazine, exclusive interviews with screenwriter Steven Knight (Spencer), Mike Mills (C'mon C'mon), and David Mitchell (Matrix Resurrection). Plus, how to utilize your vulnerability in your writing and different perspectives on screenwriting structure.

Jan 15, 2022
Writing Mistakes Writers Make: Forgetting To Read
Writing Techniques

Writing Mistakes Writers Make: Forgetting To Read

The Writer's Digest team has witnessed many writing mistakes over the years, so this series helps identify them for other writers (along with correction strategies). This week's mistake is forgetting to read.

Jan 14, 2022
Tapping Your Memories for Emotional Truths on the Page
Writing Techniques

Tapping Your Memories for Emotional Truths on the Page

Sharing even a fraction of our feelings with our characters will help our stories feel more authentic. Here, Kris Spisak explains how to tap into our memories to tell emotional truths on the page.

Jan 14, 2022
Poetic Forms
New/Invented Poetic Forms

Trinet: Poetic Forms

Poetic Form Fridays are made to share various poetic forms. This week, we look at the trinet, a seven-line form based on word count.

Jan 14, 2022
Tammye Huf: On Real Love That Sparked Inspiration
Interviews

Tammye Huf: On Real Love That Sparked Inspiration

Debut novelist Tammye Huf discusses how her own familial love story inspired her historical fiction novel, A More Perfect Union.

Jan 13, 2022
Announcing the Second Annual Personal Essay Awards Winners
From the Winners

Announcing the Second Annual Personal Essay Awards Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the second annual Writer's Digest Personal Essay Awards!

Jan 13, 2022
Plot Twist Story Prompts: Going Rogue
Writing Prompts

Plot Twist Story Prompts: Going Rogue

Every good story needs a nice (or not so nice) turn or two to keep it interesting. This week, have a character go rogue.

Jan 13, 2022