Today’s quote comes to us from my friend, fellow VCFA classmate Margaret Crocker. Margaret is a writer and producer. She is also incredibly well read, smart and funny. I love to hear her take on things. When I asked her what quote sustains her as a writer, this is what she said:

“I am obsessed by celebrity gossip, so of course I read the controversial December 2010 interview with Christian Bale in Esquire magazine. He insisted on talking craft, which frustrated the reporter, but I found it refreshing and (more importantly) inspirational. I got snagged by this one quote, which made me write three words on my wall where I work: RECKLESSNESS, ABANDONMENT, EMBARRASSMENT. This is what he said:

“When you’re able to achieve a certain recklessness, you actually end up getting good results. You have to throw everything aside and say, “What the hell, I’m gonna do it this way, and if they don’t like it, I wanna do it anyway.” … that’s the kind of abandonment you gotta have…If you can sit happy with embarrassment, there’s not much else that can really get to ya.”  

“He’s talking about stardom, but I think it also applies to putting yourself out there for your craft. Some of the best ideas play on the edge of ridiculousness.”

So true, Margaret, so very, very true. Thank you for shining your brilliance over here today.