People who take books on sex to bed become frigid. You get…
“People who take books on sex to bed become frigid. You get self-conscious. You can't think a story. You can't think, "I shall do a story to improve mankind." Well, it's nonsense. All the great stories, all the really worthwhile plays, are emotional experiences. If you have to ask yourself whether or not you love a girl or you love a boy, forget it. You don't. A story is the same way. You either feel a story and need to write it, or you better not write it.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Writing should arise from genuine emotional experience, not from forced or self‑conscious motives.
In simple terms: Write from feeling, not from self‑consciousness.
Key Takeaway
Write only when emotionally compelled.
Themes
creativity
authenticity
emotion
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- writing a novel
- screenwriting
- personal journaling
- teaching creative writing
Key Concepts
artistic integrity
emotional truth
creative process
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you write when you feel moved?
- How does self‑consciousness hinder creativity?
A Different Perspective
If you force a story, it may lack depth and resonance.