Amateurs Quote by Austin Kleon
““Writer David Foster Wallace said that he thought good nonfiction was a chance to “watch somebody reasonably bright but also reasonably average pay far closer attention and think at far more length about all sorts of different stuff than most of us have a chance to in our daily lives.” Amateurs fit the same bill: They’re just regular people who get obsessed by something and spend a ton of time thinking out loud about it.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Show Your Work!, 2014
Good nonfiction lets ordinary people deeply explore topics, turning curiosity into focused, lengthy thought.
In simple terms: Nonfiction lets everyday people think deeply.
Key Takeaway
Embrace curiosity and write extensively.
Themes
creativity
learning
observation
Mood
inspirational
thoughtful
Type
literary
educational
When to use this quote
- writing practice
- research projects
- personal study
Key Concepts
depth of analysis
everyday expertise
Questions to Reflect On
- What everyday topic could you explore deeply?
- How does focused observation enhance understanding?
A Different Perspective
May be time‑intensive for some.
