I am never much interested in the effects of what I…
“I am never much interested in the effects of what I write…I seldom read with any attention the reviews of my...books. Two times out of three I know something about the reviewer, and in very few cases have I any respect for his judgments. Thus his praise, if he praises me, leaves me unmoved. I can't recall any review that has even influenced me in the slightest. I live in sort of a vacuum, and I suspect that most other writers do, too. It is hard to imagine one of the great ones paying any serious attention to contemporary opinion.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Writers often ignore critics, finding reviews irrelevant to their creative process.
In simple terms: Critics rarely affect writers.
Key Takeaway
Focus on your own standards.
Themes
writing
criticism
creative independence
Mood
skeptical
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- publishing books
- receiving feedback
- writing community
- literary awards
Key Concepts
Literary criticism
authorial ego
self‑assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you ever consider external feedback?
- When might a review be valuable?
A Different Perspective
Some writers may benefit from constructive criticism.