Engineering Quote by Doris Lessing
“I've always disliked words like inspiration. Writing is probably like a scientist thinking about some scientific problem, or an engineer about an engineering problem.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Paris Review, 1975
Writing resembles scientific problem solving, requiring analytical rigor over vague inspiration.
In simple terms: Writing is methodical, like engineering.
Key Takeaway
Approach writing with systematic analysis.
Themes
creativity
process
discipline
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- authoring a novel
- research writing
- technical documentation
Key Concepts
analysis
methodology
problem solving
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you balance analysis with intuition?
- When does structure hinder imagination?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on method may stifle spontaneous creativity.
![“Leave a cavity behind the [wall] facings, and on the inside build walls two feet thick, made of red dimension stone or burnt brick or lava in courses, and then bind them to the fronts by means of iron clamps and lead. The beds and builds, all settling equally and bonded at the joints, will not let…” quote by Marcus Vitruvius Pollio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d76/marcus-vitruvius-pollio-7498_bed_leave-a-cavity-behind-the-wall-facings-a_5922.jpg)
