Manifesto Examples

After yesterday’s post on “The Power of the Written Manifesto”, I realized that it might be helpful to show a few examples of manifestos that I like.

One of my favorites is Bruce Lee’s:

My Definite Chief Aim

I, Bruce Lee, will be the first highest paid Oriental super star in the United States. In return I will give the most exciting performances and render the best of quality in the capacity of an actor. Starting 1970 I will achieve world fame and from then onward till the end of 1980 I will have in my possession $10,000,000. I will live the way I please and achieve inner harmony and happiness.

Bruce Lee, Jan. 1969

Another by Octavia Butler, which she wrote on the back of one of her notebooks:

I shall be a bestselling writer. After Imago, each of my books will be on the bestseller lists of LAT, NYT, PW, WP, etc. My novels will go onto the above lists whether publishers push them hard or not, whether I’m paid a high advance or not, whether I ever win another award or not. This is my life. I write bestselling novels. My novels go onto the bestseller lists on or shortly after publication. My novels each travel up to the top of the bestseller lists and they reach the top and they stay on top for months . Each of my novels does this.

So be it! I will find the way to do this. See to it! So be it! See to it! My books will be read by millions of people! I will buy a beautiful home in an excellent neighborhood I will send poor black youngsters to Clarion or other writer’s workshops I will help poor black youngsters broaden their horizons. I will help poor black youngsters go to college I will get the best of health care for my mother and myself I will hire a car whenever I want or need to. I will travel whenever and wherever in the world that I choose My books will be read by millions of people!

So be it! See to it!

Hope these help!