One of the best things about being a writer is quoting yourself. If done right, and people recognize it as a some sort of quote but don’t know it was you who originated it, you’ll seem brilliant. You can’t quote it wrong because you wrote it. If anything you just did a quick re-edit of your own work.
I’m not famous enough yet for people to be quoting my works, so if someone recognizes it as a quote that I originally wrote it’s more than likely that that person was involved in the production and probably had the role that said the line. (I’m going with plays and monologues here which is what I’ve written most.) In that case I won’t come across as egotistical. In that case, the person who recognized the quote will feel part of an exclusive club. We all want to be a part of an exclusive club.
Anyway. One of my favorite quotes comes from this little chunk of dialogue from my play “Lustful Youth”.
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DEB
(Looks around, surprised he’s talking to her.) Me? What do I think?
TONY
You’ve earned 5 seconds to give me your opinion. Bang.
DEB
I’m a little concerned with all the sex and violence.
TONY
Totally wrong.
DEB
Sir, you wanted my opinion.
TONY
Your opinion is wrong.
DEB
Yes sir. Thank you.
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The line “Your opinion is wrong.” has been cracking me up for 20 years now.
“Lustful Youth” is the first full length play I finished (had a couple of other false starts before this one.) and it’s been produced the most of the plays I’ve written (that might just be a mathematical thing with it being around longest.) It’s been produced in Green Bay three different times, British Columbia, Canada and had a staged reading in Perth, Australia.
Give it a read. Forward it to theatre directors you know. Or just enjoy it for yourself. If you love it, tell others. If you hate it, keep your opinion to yourself… because in that case your opinion is wrong.