The writer must believe that what he is doing is the most important thing in the world. And he must hold to this illusion even when he knows it is not true.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Writers need to believe their work matters deeply to sustain themselves. This belief is a necessary illusion for survival in the craft.
- In plain terms
- Writers must pretend their work is the most important thing to keep going.
- What can you take from it?
- Believe in your work even if you know it might not matter to everyone.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What belief keeps you working?
- Is it healthy to believe your work is the most important?
Another view
Some writers succeed without needing such grand illusions.
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In utter loneliness a writer tries to explain the inexplicable.
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