---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think the first thing - if you want to…"
description: "\"I think the first thing - if you want to be a writer - the first thing you need to do is write. Which sounds like an obvious piece of advice. But so ma..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/922/cheryl-strayed-605_advice_i-think-the-first-thing-if-you-want-to-b_967691.png"
---

#  I think the first thing - if you want to be a writer - the…

![“I think the first thing - if you want to be a writer - the first thing you need to do is write. Which sounds like an obvious piece of advice. But so many people have this feeling they want to be a writer and they love to read but they don't actually write very much. The main part of being a…” quote by Cheryl Strayed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/922/cheryl-strayed-605_advice_i-think-the-first-thing-if-you-want-to-b_967691.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/922/cheryl-strayed-605_advice_i-think-the-first-thing-if-you-want-to-b_967691.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/922/cheryl-strayed-605_advice_i-think-the-first-thing-if-you-want-to-b_967691.png)

> “I think the first thing - if you want to be a writer - the first thing you need to do is write. Which sounds like an obvious piece of advice. But so many people have this feeling they want to be a writer and they love to read but they don't actually write very much. The main part of being a writer, though, is being profoundly alone for hours on end, uninterrupted by email or friends or children or romantic partners and really sinking into the work and writing. That's how I write. That's how writing gets done.”

[Cheryl Strayed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-strayed/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Writing requires consistent practice and solitude; the act of writing itself is essential to becoming a writer.

**In simple terms:** Write regularly and find uninterrupted time.

Key Takeaway

Write daily, protect your writing time.

Themes

creativity discipline solitude

Mood

inspirational practical

Type

advice motivational

When to use this quote

- starting a writing project
- overcoming writer’s block
- balancing life and writing

Key Concepts

writing process habit formation focus

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you create sustainable solitude?
- What routines help you write consistently?

A Different Perspective

Isolation can be emotionally taxing and may hinder collaboration.

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