Susan Griffin describes it as a time when "there is no…
““Susan Griffin describes it as a time when "there is no intrinsic authority to my words." "I...clean off my desk. I make telephone calls. I know I am avoiding the typewriter. I know that in my mind, where there might be words, there is simply a blankness. I may try to write and then my words bore me." But when the time is right, the waiting will have been worth it. "Because each time I write, each time the authentic words break through, I am changed. The older order that I was collapses and dies. I lose control. I do not know exactly what words will appear on the page. I follow language. I follow the sound of the words, and I am surprised and transformed by what I record." Excerpt from "Thoughts on Writing: A Diary," in The Writer on her Work .””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The writer experiences a period of creative block where words feel absent, but when authentic expression finally emerges, it transforms the self and dismantles old patterns.
In simple terms: Creative blockage can lead to profound personal change when true words finally appear.
Key Takeaway
Embrace the waiting; trust the emergence of authentic language.
Themes
creativity
self‑transformation
authenticity
writing process
Mood
reflective
hopeful
introspective
Type
philosophical
inspirational
personal.
When to use this quote
- writing a
- personal journaling
- artistic retreats
- therapy sessions
Key Concepts
creative block
authentic expression
self‑discovery
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “authentic words” feel like to you?
- How can you honor the silence before inspiration?
A Different Perspective
The breakthrough may be unpredictable and can feel unsettling.