Ability Quote by David Foster Wallace
“Most of the writers I know are weird hybrids. There's a strong streak of egomania coupled with extreme shyness. Writing's kind of like exhibitionism in private. And there's also a strange loneliness, and a desire to have some kind of conversation with people, but not a real great ability to do it in person.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "E Un" from Consider the Lobster, 2005
Writers often blend egomania and shyness, feeling both exhibitionist and isolated, yearning for connection but struggling socially.
In simple terms: Writers are both proud and shy, craving interaction yet feeling lonely.
Key Takeaway
Embrace both confidence and vulnerability.
Themes
ego
shyness
loneliness
creativity
communication
Mood
introspective
empathetic
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- writing groups
- therapy sessions
- online forums
- author events
Key Concepts
Identity
social anxiety
artistic expression
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you navigate the tension between self‑promotion and privacy?
- What outlets help you share work without feeling exposed?
A Different Perspective
Social anxiety can hinder genuine connection despite desire.
![“It's [Los Angeles] mostly full of nonsense and delusion and egomania. They think they'll be young and beautiful forever, even though most of them aren't even young and beautiful now.” quote by Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a86/christopher-hitchens-117_beautiful_it-s-los-angeles-mostly-full-of-nonsense_10462.jpg)
![“[On Virginia Woolf] Craving to be set free from her egomania by something or someone stronger and altogether dissimilar from herself, she speculated endlessly upon the unknown: and for her the unknown was frequently the commonplace.” quote by Michael Holroyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/719/michael-holroyd-71430_set-free_on-virginia-woolf-craving-to-be-set-free_1113132.jpg)
