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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.'

Gabriel Garcia Marquez#6

WritingFameCareerPrivacyPublicity

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

  • public figure life
  • creative privacy
  • media relations

Putting it to work

  • limit public exposure
  • separate art from artist

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

  1. 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.

    Permalink to quote #5
  2. I can't think of any one film that improved on a good novel, but I can think of many good films that came from very bad novels.

    Permalink to quote #7
  3. Ultimately, literature is nothing but carpentry.

    Permalink to quote #4

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