Quote Of The Day By Judy Blume: 'Everybody Who Writes Fiction Draws From Their Own Life...'

Beloved American author Judy Blume pens books for all audiences, including children, young adults, and full-grown adults. She's written over 30 books with a range that's so vast it only proves her talent. Her 1970 novel "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" has been a favorite for generations of readers, earning its own film adaptation starring Benny Safdie and Rachael McAdams. Her 1974 novel "Blubber" was another famous hit for young adult readers, and she sparked the reading flame in adult bibliophiles with hits like her 1998 novel "Summer Sisters" and her 2015 novel "In the Unlikely Event." 

Blume's magical power lies in her ability to touch on everyday life in ways that are familiar and meaningful to readers. She writes about sex, periods, birth control, and masturbation; these topics have actually led more stringent circles to ban her books, so for those who love banned book clubs, Blume's novels earn a place among the best reads they don't want you to know about. Banned books, especially Blume's, are always worth checking out, and these banned books from the 1980s deserve a spot on your reading list. Despite criticism, banning, and rejections, Blume has forged an influential, unforgettable path in the literary world, which is why we turn to Blume for our quote of the day.

Judy Blume once spoke about what it means to be a writer. "Everybody who writes fiction draws from their own life, but if it ended there, it would be very boring," she said. "When I talk to kids and they say, 'How do you become a writer?', well, I don't know that you become a writer: you just are. I always had stories, they were always there inside my head. I never told anyone, but they were there."

Blume dropped this treasure trove of wisdom during an interview with Alison Flood for The Guardian in 2014. She spoke about the joy of writing for young readers, particularly girls on the cusp of puberty, about what it meant to be one more voice to help them through the great passage from childhood into adulthood. While speaking about the literary influence she's held, Blume also addressed the great notion of creativity and what it means to be a writer.

Judy Blume's touching quote on how she became a writer speaks to the power of creativity. It's not something that's taught — though writing skills can certainly be honed by craft and continuous effort. The creative spirit that drives all artists is something innate to who someone is, and Blume admits that this was the case for her. Blume earned a bachelor's degree from New York University in Early Education. She didn't get an MFA or a Ph.D. in creative writing. Instead, Blume started writing by attending courses at NYU while her children were in preschool. Blume's success shows that artists don't need formal training to achieve their dreams. 

Blume's quote is a hopeful one for creatives. She had children when she began writing, while spending her time as a homemaker for her family. For those harboring a creative flame inside, Blume is living proof that artists can be resourceful about finding ways to create art while still having a full life. For those who don't have a formal education, Blume demonstrates that if the creative spirit is there, then you already have what you need. What's even more inspiring is that Blume faced a lot of creative setbacks. When she first seriously began writing, Blume faced two years of rejections from publishers. Later, Blume got pushback from parents who wanted her books banned. Despite all this, she carried on. 

• "Let children read whatever they want and then talk about it with them. If parents and kids can talk together, we won't have as much censorship because we won't have as much fear."
• "Anything could go wrong any day of the week. What's the point of worrying in advance?"
• "Writing saved my life. It saved me, it gave me everything, it took away all my illnesses." 
• "[I] don't believe in writer's block. There are good days and not so good days. I get up and do something else knowing that tomorrow it will come. And if it doesn't, then it's wrong, and I have to move on." 
• "My only advice is to stay aware, listen carefully, and yell for help if you need it."