When I was very little, say five or six, I became aware of…
“When I was very little, say five or six, I became aware of the fact that people wrote books. Before that, I thought that God wrote books. I thought a book was a manifestation of nature, like a tree. When my mother explained it, I kept after her: What are you saying? What do you mean? I couldn't believe it. It was astonishing. It was like--here's the man who makes all the trees. Then I wanted to be a writer, because, I suppose, it seemed the closest thing to being God.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A child perceives authors as divine creators, equating writing with godlike power, and aspires to emulate that creative authority.
In simple terms: Kids see writers as godlike, wanting to create like God.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the awe of creation and channel it into your own work.
Themes
creativity
aspiration
divine
identity
power
Mood
reflective
inspired
Type
philosophical
personal
When to use this quote
- childhood wonder
- career choice
- literary ambition
- spiritual questioning
Key Concepts
mythic thinking
authorial authority
self-concept
Questions to Reflect On
- How does seeing writers as godlike affect your own creative confidence?
- What responsibilities come with viewing writing as a divine act?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may overstate the uniqueness of divine creation versus human effort.