--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I know I'm not a wordsmith. And I don't…" description: "\"I know I'm not a wordsmith. And I don't write poetry. Sometimes I think I should, because it's really helpful. But I always wanted to write novels.\" — ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d1/candace-bushnell-1562_books_i-know-i-m-not-a-wordsmith-and-i-don-t-w_2091257.png" --- # I know I'm not a wordsmith. And I don't write poetry… ![“I know I'm not a wordsmith. And I don't write poetry. Sometimes I think I should, because it's really helpful. But I always wanted to write novels.” quote by Candace Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d1/candace-bushnell-1562_books_i-know-i-m-not-a-wordsmith-and-i-don-t-w_2091257.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d1/candace-bushnell-1562_books_i-know-i-m-not-a-wordsmith-and-i-don-t-w_2091257.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d1/candace-bushnell-1562_books_i-know-i-m-not-a-wordsmith-and-i-don-t-w_2091257.png) > “I know I'm not a wordsmith. And I don't write poetry. Sometimes I think I should, because it's really helpful. But I always wanted to write novels.” [Candace Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-bushnell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker admits lacking poetic skill but sees value in poetry, yet dreams of novel writing. **In simple terms:** She feels limited but still as. Key Takeaway Embrace practice despite self‑doubt. Themes self‑doubt creativity aspiration Mood reflective hopeful Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - writing workshops - personal journaling - creative blocks Key Concepts impostor syndrome artistic growth Questions to Reflect On - What small steps can build poetic ability? - How can one balance prose and poetry ambitions? A Different Perspective Skill gaps can hinder confidence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel/) [Novels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novels/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I am a writer, which means I write stories, I write novels, and I would write poetry if I knew how to. I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleksandar-hemon/i-am-a-writer-which-means-i-write-stories-i-write-novels-and-i-would/) [Aleksandar Hemon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleksandar-hemon/) > [I am trying to write novels for properly clever people, but I also want them to be proper novels that also stick in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-hannah/i-am-trying-to-write-novels-for-properly-clever-people-but-i-also/) [Sophie Hannah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-hannah/) > [Walter Scott has no business to write novels, especially good ones. It is not fair. He has fame and profit enough as a poet,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/walter-scott-has-no-business-to-write-novels-especially-good-ones-it/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [What I write about in my novels is also what's in my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elin-hilderbrand/what-i-write-about-in-my-novels-is-also-what-s-in-my-life/) [Elin Hilderbrand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elin-hilderbrand/) > [I write my novels in English first; then they are translated into Turkish by professional translators. Then I take their translation and rewrite. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elif-safak/i-write-my-novels-in-english-first-then-they-are-translated-into/) [Elif Safak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elif-safak/) > [If I wanted to be in movies, I'd have gone into scriptwriting: the fact that I write novels should be a big hint about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-stross/if-i-wanted-to-be-in-movies-i-d-have-gone-into-scriptwriting-the-fact/) [Charles Stross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-stross/) > [When I write novels, it's just me alone in a room.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-serle/when-i-write-novels-it-s-just-me-alone-in-a-room/) [Rebecca Serle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-serle/) > [I was convinced that the only thing I wanted to do ever - was write novels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-was-convinced-that-the-only-thing-i-wanted-to-do-ever-was-write/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [I find screenplays easy to write, my novels being very visual. You see what people look like. The physical action is described.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/i-find-screenplays-easy-to-write-my-novels-being-very-visual-you-see/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [Sometimes people write novels and they just be so wordy and so self-absorbed. I am not a fan of books ... I like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kanye-west/sometimes-people-write-novels-and-they-just-be-so-wordy-and-so-self/) [Kanye West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kanye-west/) > [I write novels and other things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-l-chalker/i-write-novels-and-other-things/) [Jack L. Chalker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-l-chalker/) > [I'm a novelist at heart. How's that? And that's how I make my living, is I write novels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/i-m-a-novelist-at-heart-how-s-that-and-that-s-how-i-make-my-living-is/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [People who actually tell stories, meaning people who write novels and make feature films, don't see themselves as storytellers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefan-sagmeister/people-who-actually-tell-stories-meaning-people-who-write-novels-and/) [Stefan Sagmeister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefan-sagmeister/) > [People without hope not only don't write novels, but what is more to the point, they don't read them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flannery-o-connor/people-without-hope-not-only-don-t-write-novels-but-what-is-more-to/) [Flannery O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flannery-o-connor/) > [That's how you write novels actually. You suddenly hit upon something and you realize this is the path you were meant to take. You'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-delillo/that-s-how-you-write-novels-actually-you-suddenly-hit-upon-something/) [Don DeLillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-delillo/) ## More by Candace Bushnell > [“I’ve had boyfriends before, and frankly, each one was a disappointment. There was nothing horribly wrong with these boys. It was my fault. I’m…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-bushnell/i-ve-had-boyfriends-before-and-frankly-each-one-was-a-disappointment/) [Candace Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-bushnell/) > [Some secrets are better left at that -as secrets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-bushnell/some-secrets-are-better-left-at-that-as-secrets/) [Candace Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-bushnell/) > [We hate guys who date more than one woman at a time. I've always believed that what's unacceptable in one sex should, by definition,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-bushnell/we-hate-guys-who-date-more-than-one-woman-at-a-time-i-ve-always/) [Candace Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-bushnell/) > [“The car was on the FDR drive now and, turning her head, she glanced out at the bleak brown buildings of the projects that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-bushnell/the-car-was-on-the-fdr-drive-now-and-turning-her-head-she-glanced-out/) [Candace Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-bushnell/) > [“The monute you get engaged, you become public property.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-bushnell/the-monute-you-get-engaged-you-become-public-property/) [Candace Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-bushnell/) > [Women with money and women in power are two uncomfortable ideas in our society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-bushnell/women-with-money-and-women-in-power-are-two-uncomfortable-ideas-in/) [Candace Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-bushnell/) > [The heart wants what the heart wants," she says, somewhat cryptically. I purse my lips in disapproval. "You'd think the heart would know better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-bushnell/the-heart-wants-what-the-heart-wants-she-says-somewhat-cryptically-i/) [Candace Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-bushnell/) > [Growing up, nobody I knew even knew a writer. So it was a big adventure and something that I've wrestled with my whole life.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-bushnell/growing-up-nobody-i-knew-even-knew-a-writer-so-it-was-a-big-adventure/) [Candace Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-bushnell/) > [“The city was different back then--poor and crumbling--kept alive only by the gritty determination and steely cynicism of its occupants. But underneath the dirt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-bushnell/the-city-was-different-back-then-poor-and-crumbling-kept-alive-only/) [Candace Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-bushnell/) > [All those men who end up disappointing you. After a while, you don't even want to have feelings anymore. You just want to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-bushnell/all-those-men-who-end-up-disappointing-you-after-a-while-you-don-t/) [Candace Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-bushnell/) > [I do not pick the wrong guys. They pick me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-bushnell/i-do-not-pick-the-wrong-guys-they-pick-me/) [Candace Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-bushnell/) > [I'm not ashamed of anything I've done. Shame is a useless emotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-bushnell/i-m-not-ashamed-of-anything-i-ve-done-shame-is-a-useless-emotion/) [Candace Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-bushnell/) > [“I will not listen to you, or anybody else. Because you know what? Everyone think they know so goddamned much about everything and no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-bushnell/i-will-not-listen-to-you-or-anybody-else-because-you-know-what/) [Candace Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-bushnell/) > [Rule number one: Why is it that the one time a cute guy talks to you, you have a friend who's in crisis?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-bushnell/rule-number-one-why-is-it-that-the-one-time-a-cute-guy-talks-to-you/) [Candace Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-bushnell/) > [The fact that a man is open to being with an older woman suggests that he doesn't give a hang what other people think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-bushnell/the-fact-that-a-man-is-open-to-being-with-an-older-woman-suggests/) [Candace Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-bushnell/) [Explore all 226 Candace Bushnell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-bushnell/) ## More Books quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep, I could buy a billion locks and finally read a book in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/if-i-had-a-dollar-for-every-time-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-buy-a/) [Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/) > [If what I write is literature, I guess you'd better emphasize the 'litter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-lunch/if-what-i-write-is-literature-i-guess-you-d-better-emphasize-the/) [Lydia Lunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-lunch/) > [My sentences got sharper and my stories more efficient, and I gradually learned to imagine the reader more clearly and to empathize with that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-thompson-walker/my-sentences-got-sharper-and-my-stories-more-efficient-and-i/) [Karen Thompson Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-thompson-walker/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [“Within the pages of books, I've journeyed to Mandalay, the Milky Way and Santa Fe, without once having to leave my armchair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-ansbro/within-the-pages-of-books-i-ve-journeyed-to-mandalay-the-milky-way/) [Kevin Ansbro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-ansbro/) > [The Rosary is the book of the blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/the-rosary-is-the-book-of-the-blind/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [“Tacitus did not write a most dangerous book. His readers made it so.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-k-krebs/tacitus-did-not-write-a-most-dangerous-book-his-readers-made-it-so/) Christopher K. 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There is nothing like a child who knows more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floyd-cooper/i-have-many-who-keep-me-going-i-am-very-fortunate-in-this-sense-there/) [Floyd Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floyd-cooper/) > [I think books in which people are really happy and things are going well are probably the most challenging novels there are to write,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/i-think-books-in-which-people-are-really-happy-and-things-are-going/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [“Be careful about reading health books. 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