A famous writer who wants to continue writing has to be constantly defending himself against fame. I don't really like to say this because it never sounds sincere, but I would really have liked for my books to have been published after my death, so I wouldn't have to go through all this business of fame and being a great writer. In my case, the only advantage to fame is that I have been able to give it a political use. Otherwise, it is quite uncomfortable. The problem is that you're famous for twenty-four hours a day, and you can't say, 'Okay, I won't be famous until tomorrow,' or press a button and say, 'I won't be famous here or now.'
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Fame burdens writers by demanding constant performance and limiting privacy.
- In plain terms
- Being famous makes it hard to live normally and write quietly.
- What can you take from it?
- Protect your privacy to sustain creative work.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How much fame is too much?
- Can you be famous and private?
Another view
Some writers thrive on public attention and visibility.
More from Gabriel Garcia Marquez
I would like for my books to have been recognized posthumously, at least in capitalist countries, where they turn you into a kind of merchandise.
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