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About this quote

What does it mean?
Imagination seen as lying in childhood is recontextualized as writing in adulthood.
In plain terms
Childhood lies become adult writing when you grow up.
What can you take from it?
Reframe childhood imagination as a professional skill.

Where it applies

  • writing careers
  • parenting
  • self-reflection

Putting it to work

  • encourage writing
  • reframe criticism
  • pursue creativity

Questions to consider

  • How does perception of creativity change with age?
  • What skills are misunderstood as flaws?

Another view

Writing is more than just imaginative storytelling.

More from Isaac Bashevis Singer

  1. We write not only for children but also for their parents. They, too, are serious children.

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  2. Children don't read to find their identity, to free themselves from guilt, to quench the thirst for rebellion or to get rid of alienation. They have no use for…

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  3. Take three quarts of duck's milk...

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