--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: At the very beginning, I was a page at…" description: "\"At the very beginning, I was a page at Letterman, and I freelanced for any place that would let me write any word. I wanted to do this so badly.\" — Ben..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/09e/ben-schwartz-20775_let-me_at-the-very-beginning-i-was-a-page-at-le_594482.jpg" --- # At the very beginning, I was a page at Letterman, and I… ![“At the very beginning, I was a page at Letterman, and I freelanced for any place that would let me write any word. I wanted to do this so badly.” quote by Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/09e/ben-schwartz-20775_let-me_at-the-very-beginning-i-was-a-page-at-le_594482.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/09e/ben-schwartz-20775_let-me_at-the-very-beginning-i-was-a-page-at-le_594482.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/09e/ben-schwartz-20775_let-me_at-the-very-beginning-i-was-a-page-at-le_594482.jpg) > “At the very beginning, I was a page at Letterman, and I freelanced for any place that would let me write any word. I wanted to do this so badly.” [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He began his writing career humbly, taking any opportunity to write, driven by intense passion. **In simple terms:** He started with low-level gigs, eager to write. Key Takeaway Pursue any writing chance, no matter how small. Themes career beginnings determination humility Mood motivational realistic Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - blogging - journalism - scriptwriting - personal growth Key Concepts writing freelance career development Questions to Reflect On - What small writing tasks could you start today? - How do you balance passion with practical goals? A Different Perspective Passion may not guarantee success without strategic planning. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [At the very beginning, I was a page at Letterman, and I freelanced for any place that would let me write any word. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/at-the-very-beginning-i-was-a-page-at-letterman-and-i-freelanced-for/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [I've always freelanced as an actor, and you always have to worry about the next paycheck. When I booked 'True Blood,' I promised myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-skarsgard/i-ve-always-freelanced-as-an-actor-and-you-always-have-to-worry-about/) [Alexander Skarsgard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-skarsgard/) > [I was fresh from college and worked with my mum and even freelanced on my own with her team of people. I was young…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sussanne-khan/i-was-fresh-from-college-and-worked-with-my-mum-and-even-freelanced/) [Sussanne Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sussanne-khan/) > [I freelanced for the 'Boston Phoenix.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christie-hefner/i-freelanced-for-the-boston-phoenix/) [Christie Hefner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christie-hefner/) > [Cookies at both of them. The cookies are probably better at Letterman though.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-gaffigan/cookies-at-both-of-them-the-cookies-are-probably-better-at-letterman/) [Jim Gaffigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-gaffigan/) > [Hey, you know what, I've gotta go on that 'Letterman' show. That show is so lame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/hey-you-know-what-i-ve-gotta-go-on-that-letterman-show-that-show-is/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [Everybody gets inspired by different things. I grew up wanting to go up the street with a video camera because I liked watching David…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-green/everybody-gets-inspired-by-different-things-i-grew-up-wanting-to-go/) [Tom Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-green/) > [I gotta tell you, I do not envy whoever they try to put in David Letterman's chair. Folks those are some huge shoes to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/i-gotta-tell-you-i-do-not-envy-whoever-they-try-to-put-in-david/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [I want to be the Letterman of metal. I want five nights a week, Monday to Friday, 11 to 12, live. I always shoot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-trunk/i-want-to-be-the-letterman-of-metal-i-want-five-nights-a-week-monday/) [Eddie Trunk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-trunk/) > [Coaching at Texas and playing at the University of Oklahoma, I had the opportunity to see a lot of guys in Texas - Texas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darrell-royal/coaching-at-texas-and-playing-at-the-university-of-oklahoma-i-had-the/) [Darrell Royal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darrell-royal/) > [Half the stuff I've written was written when I was half asleep watching the David Letterman show when some boring actress was on talking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-bozzio/half-the-stuff-i-ve-written-was-written-when-i-was-half-asleep/) [Terry Bozzio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-bozzio/) > [The biggest threat to any politician is an artist. Comedians unleashed can do a great deal of damage. David Letterman can do more damage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moriarty/the-biggest-threat-to-any-politician-is-an-artist-comedians-unleashed/) [Michael Moriarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moriarty/) > [I was a huge David Letterman fan, even going back to when he was on NBC. My parents would only let me watch a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-moore/i-was-a-huge-david-letterman-fan-even-going-back-to-when-he-was-on/) [Trevor Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-moore/) > [I think the first time I was on The David Letterman Show, he didn't quite know what to expect. I think people generally are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-reubens/i-think-the-first-time-i-was-on-the-david-letterman-show-he-didn-t/) [Paul Reubens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-reubens/) > [I watch Jay. I watch 'Letterman'. I flip back and forth between 'Conan' and 'Letterman', especially the top of the show for those guys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wanda-sykes/i-watch-jay-i-watch-letterman-i-flip-back-and-forth-between-conan-and/) [Wanda Sykes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wanda-sykes/) ## More by Ben Schwartz > [At the very beginning, I was a page at Letterman, and I freelanced for any place that would let me write any word. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/at-the-very-beginning-i-was-a-page-at-letterman-and-i-freelanced-for/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [I love video games. When I was growing up, video games were very important to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/i-love-video-games-when-i-was-growing-up-video-games-were-very/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [I really like the stuff that Showtime puts out. I think that 'Homeland' is phenomenal. I think 'Dexter' is amazing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/i-really-like-the-stuff-that-showtime-puts-out-i-think-that-homeland/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [The anxiety of not knowing what my next gig is keeps me hungry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/the-anxiety-of-not-knowing-what-my-next-gig-is-keeps-me-hungry/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [When I got a tiny bit of success, I was petrified that I was going to lose it. I still feel it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/when-i-got-a-tiny-bit-of-success-i-was-petrified-that-i-was-going-to/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [I love the idea of doing totally different types of guys for different projects. I love that I get to do this. It's so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/i-love-the-idea-of-doing-totally-different-types-of-guys-for/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [If you really want to be successful in the business, you have to make that your priority, above family and everything else. It takes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/if-you-really-want-to-be-successful-in-the-business-you-have-to-make/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [The perfect thing for me is to be on something I love, where I'm doing it and have enough money not to be poor,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/the-perfect-thing-for-me-is-to-be-on-something-i-love-where-i-m-doing/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [I never went to acting school, so improv was my training. Just being quick on your feet helps in everyday life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/i-never-went-to-acting-school-so-improv-was-my-training-just-being/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [Eight hours of sleep would be amazing. That would be the best. If I could just figure out that part of my life, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/eight-hours-of-sleep-would-be-amazing-that-would-be-the-best-if-i/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [If I play a video game, I have to get through the whole thing. Like, when the new 'Resident Evil' comes out, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/if-i-play-a-video-game-i-have-to-get-through-the-whole-thing-like/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [When you're acting on TV, you want to keep it real.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/when-you-re-acting-on-tv-you-want-to-keep-it-real/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [I was very, very into animation when I was growing up. The Simpsons is still my favorite show. I have a really strong connection…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/i-was-very-very-into-animation-when-i-was-growing-up-the-simpsons-is/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [I did a lot of short films online, so I come from that background where a lot of people see your stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/i-did-a-lot-of-short-films-online-so-i-come-from-that-background/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [I really was interested in doing something for a premium channel like Showtime or HBO, just because you get to really let loose. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/i-really-was-interested-in-doing-something-for-a-premium-channel-like/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) [Explore all 30 Ben Schwartz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) ## More Let me quotes > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [Santa Claus has nothing to do with it," the latke said. "Christmas and Hanukah are completely different things." "But different things can often blend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/santa-claus-has-nothing-to-do-with-it-the-latke-said-christmas-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I love a lot of things, a whole lot of things / Like / My cousin comes to visit and you know he's from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eloise-greenfield/i-love-a-lot-of-things-a-whole-lot-of-things-like-my-cousin-comes-to/) Eloise Greenfield > [My prayer to the Lord every day, is this-I have been a great sinner. I do not deserve Heaven. Let me stay here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andres-segovia/my-prayer-to-the-lord-every-day-is-this-i-have-been-a-great-sinner-i/) [Andres Segovia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andres-segovia/) > [I can show you who's the man Let me show you with my hands I just want you close to me I'll get you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eamon/i-can-show-you-who-s-the-man-let-me-show-you-with-my-hands-i-just/) [Eamon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eamon/) > [I plead with my Moonlight fans to give this show a chance if they let me give it a chance. I can’t do Moonlight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-o-loughlin/i-plead-with-my-moonlight-fans-to-give-this-show-a-chance-if-they-let/) [Alex O'Loughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-o-loughlin/) > [Above the clouds I lift my wing To hear the bells of Heaven ring; Some of their music, though my fights be wild, To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-clarence-stedman/above-the-clouds-i-lift-my-wing-to-hear-the-bells-of-heaven-ring-some/) [Edmund Clarence Stedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-clarence-stedman/) > [Let me be patient, let me be kind, make me unselfish, without being blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauryn-hill/let-me-be-patient-let-me-be-kind-make-me-unselfish-without-being-blind/) [Lauryn Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauryn-hill/) > [Many times, when a director reads a script and wants somebody who says 'Far out', then they let me do what I want with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-helmond/many-times-when-a-director-reads-a-script-and-wants-somebody-who-says/) [Katherine Helmond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-helmond/) > [If it was possible for me to adopt, I probably would, but no one's going to let me adopt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-norton/if-it-was-possible-for-me-to-adopt-i-probably-would-but-no-one-s/) [Graham Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-norton/) > [Let me be clear - Microsoft has no beef with open source.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-mundie/let-me-be-clear-microsoft-has-no-beef-with-open-source/) [Craig Mundie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-mundie/) > [And just so you know for the future, I like my double-chocolate chip cookies warm and soft in the middle...and without magnets glued to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-elkeles/and-just-so-you-know-for-the-future-i-like-my-double-chocolate-chip/) [Simone Elkeles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-elkeles/) > [I like wearing necklaces, because it lets me know when I'm upside down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-hedberg/i-like-wearing-necklaces-because-it-lets-me-know-when-i-m-upside-down/) [Mitch Hedberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-hedberg/) > [Let me plead with you, lovers of my Africa, to carry with you into the world the vision of a new Africa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-sobukwe/let-me-plead-with-you-lovers-of-my-africa-to-carry-with-you-into-the/) Robert Sobukwe > [I didn't get paid for my first gig supporting Usher Raymond in the Temple in Tottenham when I was 17 or 18. I bugged…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lemar/i-didn-t-get-paid-for-my-first-gig-supporting-usher-raymond-in-the/) [Lemar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lemar/) Browse all 2,661 Let me quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "At the very beginning, I was a page at Letterman, and I freelanced for any place that would let me write any word. 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