I myself hate that old Hemingwayesque paradigm of the…
“I myself hate that old Hemingwayesque paradigm of the writer as prizefighter and I have tried hard to create an alternate one for myself. When Anne Sexton admonished me, "We are all writing God's poem," I took it to mean there should be no competition between writers because we are all involved in a common project, a common prayer. But to Gore's and Norman's generation, particularly those male writers who served in the second world war, the prizefighter paradigm remains.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The author rejects the combative writer‑as‑prizefighter image, favoring a collaborative, spiritual view of writing as a shared prayer.
In simple terms: Writing should be cooperative, not competitive.
Key Takeaway
Embrace community over competition.
Themes
creativity
collaboration
spirituality
competition
identity
Mood
reflective
inspired
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- literary workshops
- writing groups
- publishing collaborations
- creative retreats
Key Concepts
authorial myth
collective consciousness
war‑era masculinity
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you foster a sense of shared purpose in your writing community?
- What rituals help you view writing as a collective prayer?
A Different Perspective
Some writers may still feel the competitive pressure of market success.