Quotes that Inspire

Many, many of my stories, primarily the one-shots, come from quotes I've read or collected. I have a spiral full of quotes that just keeps growing. I wanted to share some ones I can remember being particulary inspirational. Some are quotes, some are excerpts from poems, and some are song lyrics. They all have been instrumental in giving me inspiration:

Don't believe the lies that they told to you
Not one word was true
You're all right, you're all right,
You're all right

And I have felt the same
As you, I've felt the same
-Simon, Lifehouse-

This song lyric basically inspired the story that is also named "Simon". For the most part, the plot was taken directly from the lyrics. Edmund sees a boy who's been bullied, remembers the feelings, and goes to the rescue. My entire purpose for the story was basically to show how Edmund lived once he was back in England. Short and simple.

Every night and every morn
Some to misery are born.
Every morn and every night
Some are born to sweet delight.
Some are born to sweet delight,
Some are born to endless night.
-Auguries of Innocence, William Blake

This excerpt from William Blake's poem was basically where "Reassurance" came from, which of course set up a whole three(hopefully one day four) story arc about how each Pevensie finds Aslan in Narnia. I just thought the "some are born to endless night/some are born to sweet delight"- or rather, some live in misery and others in joy, and why, would be an interesting question for Peter to tackle. Of course, Peter can't find the answers, because we don't know them. But he finds the reassurance he needs.

Know how sublime a thing it is

To suffer and be strong

-“The Light of the Stars”, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

This excerpt, for me, sumarizes "Through Shadow and Fire", and I thought it was particulary fitting in the chapter in which Rhahar tries to break Edmund's faith.

False enchantment can last a lifetime.- W.H. Auden

What a great quote for the Narnian world. I'm still trying to work it in for a one-shot featuring either Edmund or Rilian. The plot for my Edmund story is much more thought-out, though it's more traditional.

Love seeketh not itself to please

Nor for itself hath any care

but for another gives it ease

and builds a heaven in Hell's despair.

-William Blake

This, to me, is a quote that sums up the essence of the Pevensies, particularly the bond between Edmund and Peter. It's one of my favorite quotes ever and I have a one-shot in the works centering around it.

It only seems like there is no planned because it is all planned.-C.S. Lewis

If I had to only pick one quote to incoporate in my Narnia stories, it would be this one. This particular insight from C.S. Lewis has inspired my stories from Reassurance to Light After Rain.

These, of course, are not the only things I get inspiration from, but without these particular excerpts, I would never have had an idea to write a particular story, and so they hold a special place in my heart.

the shadow proves the sunshine