10 Nora Ephron quotes that will inspire anyone

From her thoughts on the word ‘synergy’ to her advice on wearing a bikini, the late author and screenwriter said a number of inspirational (and useful) things. Here are some of her best.

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Her films such as “When Harry Met Sally” and “Sleepless in Seattle” defined the romantic comedy genre, while her other films as well as plays and countless essays covered a range of topics, many of them personal, including her relationships. After all, Ephron’s mother once told her, “Everything is copy.”

We went looking for useful and insightful quotes on writing from Ephron, because she was so prolific. We found a few good ones, but more important, we discovered a trove of sayings on various topics that could inspire anyone—from writers and editors to journalists and even PR pros (and everyone in between).

Here are some of our favorites. We hope you enjoy them.

On Work (particularly writing)

In a 2010 interview with Charlie Rose, Ephron shared an important lesson from her mother—screenwriter Phoebe Ephron—about the importance of work:

“[She] really conveyed to us that work was a great passion; that you couldn’t live without work. When you were asked what you were going to be when you grow up, the question was answered in terms of work—not in terms of motherhood or being married—it was what are you going to do.”

On Journalism

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