--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sometimes I look back and think, \"How did…" description: "\"Sometimes I look back and think, \"How did I write that? The book is smarter than I am!\" I have never written strategically, but rather, followed the di..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57e/dan-millman-1475_book_sometimes-i-look-back-and-think-how-did_982661.png" --- # Sometimes I look back and think, "How did I write that?… ![“Sometimes I look back and think, "How did I write that? The book is smarter than I am!" I have never written strategically, but rather, followed the dictates of my muse.” quote by Dan Millman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57e/dan-millman-1475_book_sometimes-i-look-back-and-think-how-did_982661.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57e/dan-millman-1475_book_sometimes-i-look-back-and-think-how-did_982661.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57e/dan-millman-1475_book_sometimes-i-look-back-and-think-how-did_982661.png) > “Sometimes I look back and think, "How did I write that? The book is smarter than I am!" I have never written strategically, but rather, followed the dictates of my muse.” [Dan Millman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-millman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Creative work can feel mysterious and beyond our control, yet it often emerges from following intuition rather than strict planning. **In simple terms:** Creative work feels mysterious, guided by intuition. Key Takeaway Trust your muse, not just strategy. Themes creativity intuition self‑doubt authorial voice Mood thoughtful inspirational Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - publishing - public speaking - teaching - collaborative projects Key Concepts creative process writing artistic inspiration personal growth Questions to Reflect On - When have you trusted intuition over planning? - How can you balance spontaneity with structure? A Different Perspective Relying solely on intuition may lead to inconsistency or missed deadlines. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Muse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/muse/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“Why did I write it down? In order to remember, of course, but exactly what was it I wanted to remember? How much of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/why-did-i-write-it-down-in-order-to-remember-of-course-but-exactly/) [Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) > [We definitely did not write our own vows. We're actors - people write things for us. 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Di Piero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-di-piero/) > [I did not write half of what I saw, for I knew I would not be believed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-did-not-write-half-of-what-i-saw-for-i-knew-i-would-not-be-believed/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Did I write it so as not to go mad or, on the contrary, to go mad in order to understand the nature of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elie-wiesel/did-i-write-it-so-as-not-to-go-mad-or-on-the-contrary-to-go-mad-in/) [Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elie-wiesel/) > [“He took the pen and book from her and faltered. “Just write anything – anything trivial that won't matter if it comes to pass.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dianna-hardy/he-took-the-pen-and-book-from-her-and-faltered-just-write-anything/) [Dianna Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dianna-hardy/) ## More by Dan Millman > [...when you resist what happens, your mind begins to race; the same thoughts that impinge upon you are actually created by you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-millman/when-you-resist-what-happens-your-mind-begins-to-race-the-same/) [Dan Millman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-millman/) > [Life is not suffering; it's just that you will suffer it, rather than enjoy it, until you let go of your mind's attachments and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-millman/life-is-not-suffering-it-s-just-that-you-will-suffer-it-rather-than/) [Dan Millman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-millman/) > [Coming to appreciate your worth can, in some cases, dramatically improve your circumstances by changing the choices you make and the actions you take.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-millman/coming-to-appreciate-your-worth-can-in-some-cases-dramatically/) [Dan Millman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-millman/) > [Inward spiritual practices such as meditation, breathing techniques and self-analysis generate insights and enhance abilities, but none are so useful as learning to live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-millman/inward-spiritual-practices-such-as-meditation-breathing-techniques/) [Dan Millman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-millman/) > [We are both burdened and blessed by the great responsibility of the will - the power of choice. 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