Books Quote by Don DeLillo
“It was only after two years' work that it occurred to me that I was a writer. I had no particular expectation that the novel would ever be published, because it was sort of a mess. It was only when I found myself writing things I didn't realise I knew that I said, 'I'm a writer now.' The novel had become an incentive to deeper thinking. That's really what writing is—an intense form of thought.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Writer’s Journey, Don DeLillo, 2015
Realizing one’s identity as a writer emerges through practice, not expectation, turning the act of writing into deep thinking.
In simple terms: Writing reveals itself through doing.
Embrace writing to discover yourself.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- starting a novel
- daily journaling
- creative workshops
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What does writing teach you about yourself?
- How does the process shape your thoughts?
The label “writer” may feel limiting if not paired with broader growth.