I try to tell student writers to read as much as possible…
“I try to tell student writers to read as much as possible, not only literature but philosophy, theory, and to form obsessions. There's a big taboo in fiction creative writing workshops against using the self at all, and I think I try to encourage students to write the self, but to connect the self to something larger, which is to be this thinking, seeing, searching, eternally curious person, and that writing can come out of investigating and trying to understand confusion, and doubts, and obsessions.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Encourages writers to read widely, including philosophy and theory, and to write about personal experience while linking it to larger ideas.
In simple terms: Read broadly and write personally, connecting self to bigger concepts.
Key Takeaway
Blend personal voice with expansive reading.
Themes
writing
self‑exploration
intellectual curiosity
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- creative writing workshops
- college literature classes
- personal essay projects
Key Concepts
philosophy
theory
obsession
creative process
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you turn personal doubts into universal insights?
- What reading habits deepen your writing?
A Different Perspective
Balancing self‑focus with broader relevance can be challenging.