I don’t know about you, but I get inspired when I read C.S. Lewis quotes. His writing encourages me to keep going with my daily writing habit.
I love to read writers’ quotes on writing. Fellow writers have been ‘through it’ and have gone through the pleasure and pain of getting their ideas to the world. The relatability gives extra weight to their words.
If you’re familiar with C.S. Lewis’s books, you’ll recognize some of these C.S. Lewis quotes and will be reminded of why his legacy is so great. If you’ve never heard of Mr. Lewis, I’d be honored if you allow me to introduce you!
Who is C.S. Lewis?
Born Clive Staples Lewis in Belfast, Ireland in 1898, C.S. Lewis is a famous author of the Chronicles of Narnia series, which included (in the order of publication):
- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950)
- Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia (1951)
- The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952)
- The Silver Chair (1953)
- The Horse and His Boy (1954)
- The Magician’s Nephew (1955)
- The Last Battle (1956)
Lewis is known for his creative writing and imaginative explorations through his books.
Young Lewis or “Jacksie” (his nickname) and his older brother Warren were greatly influenced by the writing of Beatrix Potter, the author of The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Her influence on Lewis is evident in how he uses talking, discerning animals throughout the Narnia series.
C.S. Lewis was a professor of English literature at both Oxford University and Cambridge University during his career. (Imagine being taught by C.S. Lewis!)
Lewis is widely known for his Christian beliefs and his various books on the faith, which include The Screwtape Letters, Mere Christianity, and The Problem of Pain. And his friendship with fellow writer and Inklings group member J.R.R. Tolkien was instrumental in the writing of The Lord of the Rings.
Lewis’s life and writing is a fascinating study for a couple of reasons. Once an atheist during his teens, Lewis paradoxically was “very angry with God for not existing” and “equally angry with Him for creating a world.” The works of George MacDonald and his friendship with fellow Christian J.R.R. Tolkien played an instrumental role in his return to the faith. His faith journey gives him an interesting perspective that you can see reflected in his works.
Lewis’s mother died during his childhood and his father wasn’t present. Those experiences combined with the pain of his childhood dog’s death helped him wrestle the problem of pain. This too is quite evident in his writing. C.S. Lewis, his life, and his writings are a wonderful source of inspiration for writers.
C.S. Lewis Best Quotes for Writers
Let’s take a look at some inspirational quotes by C.S. Lewis from his books and other sources. I’ll follow up each quote with how it touches me as a writer. Hopefully, these quotes impact you positively too!
Don’t worry about your age! Be creative today!
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C.S. Lewis
Don’t let your age stop you from writing your next article, story, or book. For that matter, don’t think that you’re too young to accomplish these things either.
Inspire children with stories of heroes in cruel worlds
“Since it is so likely that children will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage.” – C.S. Lewis in On Stories: And Other Essays on Literature
I love this. Writers, use your gift to inspire children to have courage in the face of evil.
Reality is not neat
“[Reality] is not neat, not obvious, not what you expect.” – C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity
Don’t create a sanitized and orderly pseudo-reality in your fiction writing (unless it’s your overt intention). Why? Because a neat and obvious reality is far from realistic. Write a story that’s unpredictable with various shades, different hues, and both obtuse and acute angles. Your reader will appreciate the world you’ve created.
This is not just another one of the best C.S. Lewis quotes out there, but also something he mastered.
Why villains exist in life and fiction
“We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst.” – C.S. Lewis in The Abolition of Man
Don’t be shocked. Every hero needs a villain to test them to the limits of their abilities. Writers, work hard on making the villain in your story a complex character. Consider giving your villain an experience or characteristic that almost makes them endearing.
Consider the moral implications of your writing
“There is but one good; that is God. Everything else is good when it looks to Him and bad when it turns from Him.” – C.S. Lewis in The Great Divorce
Are you writing to inspire, wholesomely entertain, and/or build up others? Or are you writing to hurt and divide? Check your heart before and as you write. Be a source of good with your writing.
Remember where your talent comes from
“When you are arguing against God you are arguing against the very power that makes you able to argue at all.” – C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity
“Free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having.” – C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity
Be a good steward of the power (and responsibility) that you have to be creative!
Inspire Others with Your Writing
Whether it’s Hemingway or Stephen King quotes on writing, look for lessons and encouragement in their words.
But don’t let the inspiration end with you simply being fascinated with another writer’s words. Use that inspiration to write and publish your own works, whether it’s a story, article, blog post, or book. Keep writing from your heart and maybe one day YOUR writer’s quotes on writing will inspire a fellow or aspiring writer.
Feeling stuck in your writing? Completely go through the 5 steps of the writing process to get unstuck.
This post was proofread by Grammarly Premium.
