The beautiful unruliness of literature is what makes it so…
““The beautiful unruliness of literature is what makes it so much fun to wander through: you read Jane Austen and you say, oh, that is IT. And then you turn around and read Sterne, and you say, Man, that is IT. And then you wander across a century or so, and you run into Kafka, or Calvino, or Cortazar, and you say, well that is IT. And then you stroll through what Updike called the grottos of Ulysses, and after that you consort with Baldwin or Welty or Spencer, or Morrison, or Bellow or Fitzgerald and then back to W. Shakespeare, Esq; the champ, and all the time you feel the excitement of being in the presence of IT. And when you yourself spend the good time writing, you are not different in kind than any of these people, you are part of that miracle of human invention. So get to work. Get on with IT, no matter how difficult IT is. Every single gesture, every single stumble, every single uninspired-feeling hour, is worth IT." Richard Bausch””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Literature’s chaotic variety fuels excitement; each author offers a unique “IT” moment, encouraging readers to explore broadly and write authentically.
In simple terms: Varied literature inspires joy and authentic writing.
Key Takeaway
Embrace diverse reading and write with purpose.
Themes
literature
creativity
exploration
inspiration
writing
joy
Mood
enthusiastic
curious
Type
advice
inspirational
When to use this quote
- reading clubs
- creative writing workshops
- personal reading journals
- cross‑genre study
Key Concepts
intertextuality
literary excitement
creative authenticity
Questions to Reflect On
- Which author’s style resonates most with you?
- How can you translate literary inspiration into your own work?
A Different Perspective
Over‑emphasis on “IT” moments may ignore nuanced critique.