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I find I think of myself not as a writer so much as…

“I find I think of myself not as a writer so much as someone who provides a gateway, a tangential route for readers to reach the circus. To visit the circus again, if only in their minds, when they are unable to attend it physically. I relay it through printed words on crumpled newsprint, words…” quote by Erin Morgenstern
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“I find I think of myself not as a writer so much as someone who provides a gateway, a tangential route for readers to reach the circus. To visit the circus again, if only in their minds, when they are unable to attend it physically. I relay it through printed words on crumpled newsprint, words that they can read again and again, returning to the circus whenever they wish, regardless of time of day or physical location. Transporting them at will. When put that way, it sounds rather like magic, doesn't it? p.369”

Erin Morgenstern

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 sees writing as a portal that lets readers experience a fantastical place anytime, anywhere, through repeated reading.

In simple terms: Writing creates a mental gateway to a magical experience.

Key Takeaway

Use words to transport readers beyond physical limits.

Themes

imagination storytelling escapism

Mood

wonderful nostalgic

Type

literary inspirational

When to use this quote

  • personal reflection
  • creative writing
  • marketing
  • education

Key Concepts

magical realism reader immersion

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does repeated reading shape your perception of a story?
  • Can a text ever fully capture the sensory richness of a live event?
A Different Perspective

Reading alone cannot replace physical experience; overreliance on nostalgia may limit new experiences.

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