--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: [when]asked, “What should I do if I want…" description: "\"“[when]asked, “What should I do if I want to become a writer?” “Well,” Doris said, with that steely twinkle in her dark eyes, “My best advice for you, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/760/doris-betts-55041_advice_when-asked-what-should-i-do-if-i-want-to_288214.png" --- # \[when\]asked, “What should I do if I want to become a… ![“[when]asked, “What should I do if I want to become a writer?” “Well,” Doris said, with that steely twinkle in her dark eyes, “My best advice for you, honey, is to stop if you possibly can! And if you just can’t, then get ready to work like hell. Hang onto your day job. And remember, you may not…” quote by Doris Betts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/760/doris-betts-55041_advice_when-asked-what-should-i-do-if-i-want-to_288214.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/760/doris-betts-55041_advice_when-asked-what-should-i-do-if-i-want-to_288214.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/760/doris-betts-55041_advice_when-asked-what-should-i-do-if-i-want-to_288214.png) > ““\[when\]asked, “What should I do if I want to become a writer?” “Well,” Doris said, with that steely twinkle in her dark eyes, “My best advice for you, honey, is to stop if you possibly can! And if you just can’t, then get ready to work like hell. Hang onto your day job. And remember, you may not make a living, but you’ll make a wonderful life.”” [Doris Betts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-betts/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The best path to becoming a writer is to avoid procrastination, work intensely, keep a stable income, and accept that financial success is not guaranteed but personal fulfillment is. **In simple terms:** Work hard, keep a day job, and enjoy the writing life. Key Takeaway Commit to disciplined work while maintaining stability. Themes hard work discipline realism Mood practical inspirational Type advice motivational When to use this quote - writing career - freelance work - financial planning - personal fulfillment Key Concepts creative process career planning Questions to Reflect On - Are you willing to sacrifice financial stability for passion? - How will you handle setbacks? A Different Perspective Not everyone can sustain a day job while writing, and burnout is a risk. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advice/) [Advice Honey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advice-honey-2445202/) [Dark eyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dark-eyes/) [Doris Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doris-said-1479943/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Stop Possibly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stop-possibly-1631699/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writer Doris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer-doris-2779900/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [My best advice for you, honey, is to stop if you possibly can! 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A black eye is the best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-rounseville-alger/a-blue-eye-is-a-true-eye-mysterious-is-a-dark-one-which-flashes-like/) [William Rounseville Alger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-rounseville-alger/) ## More by Doris Betts > [The whole creative process...is putting opposites together into something that wasn't there before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-betts/the-whole-creative-process-is-putting-opposites-together-into/) [Doris Betts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-betts/) > [My best advice for you, honey, is to stop if you possibly can! 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