Take joy in your digressions. Because that is where the…
““Take joy in your digressions. Because that is where the unexpected arises. That is the experimental aspect. If you know where you will end up when you begin, nothing has happened in the meantime. You have to be willing to surprise yourself writing things you didn't think you thought. Letting examples burgeon requires using inattention as a writing tool. You have to let yourself get so caught up in the flow of your writing that it ceases at moments to be recognizable to you as your own. This means you have to be prepared for failure. For with inattention comes risk: of silliness or even outbreaks of stupidity. But perhaps in order to write experimentally, you have to be willing to 'affirm' even your own stupidity. Embracing one's own stupidity is not the prevailing academic posture (at least not in the way I mean it here).””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Embrace digressions and inattentive writing to discover unexpected, experimental insights, even risking silliness or failure.
In simple terms: Allow wandering thoughts in writing to spark surprise and creativity.
Key Takeaway
Use inattention as a creative tool.
Themes
Creativity
Writing process
Experimentation
Surprise
Risk
Mood
experimental
introspective
playful
Type
Writer:1
Writing:1
Inattention Writing:1
Surprise Writing:1
Using Inattention:1
Write Experimentally:1
Digressions Unexpected:1
When to use this quote
- Creative writing workshops
- Literary experimentation
- Personal journaling
Key Concepts
Playfulness
Unpredictability
Self‑reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance structure with inattention?
- When does “stupidity” become counterproductive?
A Different Perspective
Risk of producing incoherent or low‑quality work.