Sassy Women: Wise and Witty

Funny, sexy, cougar-licious romance!

Smart women sass and utter statements that are often as amusing as they are profound.

I write romantic comedy and feature a lot of smart-mouth dialogue. Readers often tell me that they laugh out loud at some of the conversations between characters—especially my women characters because they have smart, sassy mouths.

Dialogue Rules

I like writing dialogue, and I work hard to make it humorous. Sometimes it’s witty; sometimes it’s snarky. Sometimes it’s downright funny, and I find myself laughing like a loon as I type away.

My husband just shakes his head if he happens to be passing my office door at that moment.

A lot of the dialogue in my books is stuff I’d love to say, but never do. I was full of sass when I was a child, and my mother scolded me constantly until I learned to put a filter between my mouth and my brain.

Now I smart-off in writing which is more socially acceptable I suppose—and more profitable.

Smart Women Sass

I suppose it’s understandable that I like to collect witty quotations that are amusing. I often write a Sunday “Written Wisdom” post on SlingWords using a quotation as inspiration. More often than not, the quotation I select was uttered by some smart—or smartass—woman.

I thought I’d share some of my favorite such quotations with you today. (I used some of these to preface each chapter in my older woman-young man romantic comedy Old Enough To Know Better. Available at Amazon and other ebook sellers. Also in audio at Audible.)

Favorite Sassy Quotes

Perhaps you’ll find some of these inspire you or motivate you to succeed. Or maybe they’ll just put a smile on your face. Here are a baker’s dozen of some favorite sassy words from smart women.

“If high heels were so wonderful, men would be wearing them.” Sue Grafton

“I’m not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I’m not dumb … and I also know that I’m not blonde.” Dolly Parton

“You see a lot of smart guys with dumb women, but you hardly ever see a smart woman with a dumb guy.” Erica Jong

“I think I alternate between optimism and anxiety. I realize that should either of these get out of hand I would probably need a clever doctor.” Elizabeth Jolley

“Risk! Risk anything! Care no more for the opinion of others, for those voices. Do the hardest thing on earth for you. Act for yourself.” Katherine Mansfield

“A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of.” Jane Austen

“I think; therefore, I’m single.” Lizz Winstead

“When women are depressed they either eat or go shopping. Men invade another country.” Elayne Boosler

“Behind every successful man is a surprised woman.” Maryon Pearson

“The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age.” Lucille Ball

“I am a marvelous housekeeper. Every time I leave a man I keep his house.” Zsa Zsa Gabor

“Love is like the measles. The older you get, the worse the attack.” Mary Roberts Rinehart in The Man in Lower Ten.

Last, but not least, a wooden sign hanging on a hook by my desk: “Put your big girl panties on and deal with it!”

That’s right, face your challenges head on and deal with them rather than procrastinate, run, or hide (which I admit I sometimes prefer!).

Takeaway Truth

Wishing you a very good day filled with lots of laughter—and sass!

Note: This post previously appeared on The Author's Billboard.