--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I know a lot of writers who would much…" description: "\"I know a lot of writers who would much rather be writing the Great American Novel, but they've got bills to pay and alimony, and so they take a job at ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/364/eric-stoltz-14837_alimony_i-know-a-lot-of-writers-who-would-much-r_842535.jpg" --- # I know a lot of writers who would much rather be writing… ![“I know a lot of writers who would much rather be writing the Great American Novel, but they've got bills to pay and alimony, and so they take a job at a less-than-reputable paper. You know, you do what you gotta do.” quote by Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/364/eric-stoltz-14837_alimony_i-know-a-lot-of-writers-who-would-much-r_842535.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/364/eric-stoltz-14837_alimony_i-know-a-lot-of-writers-who-would-much-r_842535.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/364/eric-stoltz-14837_alimony_i-know-a-lot-of-writers-who-would-much-r_842535.jpg) > “I know a lot of writers who would much rather be writing the Great American Novel, but they've got bills to pay and alimony, and so they take a job at a less-than-reputable paper. You know, you do what you gotta do.” [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writers often trade artistic ambition for practical work, balancing passion with financial reality. **In simple terms:** Practical work vs artistic dreams. Key Takeaway Balance passion with responsibility. Themes career art finance compromise realism Mood pragmatic realistic Type inspirational cautionary When to use this quote - freelance writing - budgeting - career planning - artistic compromise Key Concepts creative economy artistic integrity livelihood Questions to Reflect On - What compromises have you made for work? - How can you sustain artistic goals? A Different Perspective Financial pressures can stifle creativity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alimony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alimony/) [Alimony Job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alimony-job-657164/) [American](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american/) [American Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-novel/) [Bills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bills/) [Bills to pay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bills-to-pay/) [Got](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/got/) [Gotta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gotta/) [Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great/) [Great american](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-american/) [Job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/job/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) [Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Lot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lot/) [Much](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/much/) [Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel/) [Paper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paper/) [Pay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pay/) [Pay Alimony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pay-alimony-657162/) [Rather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rather/) [Take](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/take/) [Who](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/who/) [Would](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/would/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writers/) [Writers Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writers-writing-657163/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/) ## Related quotes > [You never realize how short a month is until you pay alimony.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-barrymore/you-never-realize-how-short-a-month-is-until-you-pay-alimony/) [John Barrymore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-barrymore/) > [It really doesn't matter if I work a lot, because most of everything I earn goes to pay alimony.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-berry/it-really-doesn-t-matter-if-i-work-a-lot-because-most-of-everything-i/) [Ken Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-berry/) > [Life sometimes gets so bogged down in the details, you forget you are living it. There is always another appointment to be met, another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/life-sometimes-gets-so-bogged-down-in-the-details-you-forget-you-are-2/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [People tend to put entertainers on pedestals. We're human beings, just like you. You may see us smiling, and whether we have money or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-jackson/people-tend-to-put-entertainers-on-pedestals-we-re-human-beings-just/) [Janet Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-jackson/) > [Everybody's got bills to pay. Sometimes you see people just go straight for the money, and that's disappointing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-bacon/everybody-s-got-bills-to-pay-sometimes-you-see-people-just-go/) [Kevin Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-bacon/) > [Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/before-you-were-born-your-parents-weren-t-as-boring-as-they-are-now/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [life is just high school all over again, only with bigger bills to pay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-palmer/life-is-just-high-school-all-over-again-only-with-bigger-bills-to-pay/) [Linda Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-palmer/) > [We hear the same refrain all the time from people: I have no life. I get up in the morning, daycare, eldercare, a 40…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-celente/we-hear-the-same-refrain-all-the-time-from-people-i-have-no-life-i/) [Gerald Celente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-celente/) > [That kid ain't got no bills to pay, he ain't got no kids; When you're that young to him it's only all about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boo-weekley/that-kid-ain-t-got-no-bills-to-pay-he-ain-t-got-no-kids-when-you-re/) [Boo Weekley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boo-weekley/) > [I've got bills to pay like everyone else. I'm a high-earner but I don't see myself as rich. I know in some people's eyes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-mcfadden/i-ve-got-bills-to-pay-like-everyone-else-i-m-a-high-earner-but-i-don/) [Steve McFadden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-mcfadden/) > [Of course I have bills to pay, but at the same time, it's more about the passion and the love, and I think that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludacris/of-course-i-have-bills-to-pay-but-at-the-same-time-it-s-more-about/) [Ludacris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludacris/) > [Tens of thousands of men and women with kids to raise, bills to pay, and dreams that won't die. This is your campaign.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/tens-of-thousands-of-men-and-women-with-kids-to-raise-bills-to-pay/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [There were times . . . when it occurred to me that I was repeating my mother's life. Usually this thought struck me as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/there-were-times-when-it-occurred-to-me-that-i-was-repeating-my/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [“For writers, writing is a great activity to engage your mind, body, and life. As, you know: taking on hobbies and activities can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prince-akwarandu/for-writers-writing-is-a-great-activity-to-engage-your-mind-body-and/) [Prince Akwarandu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prince-akwarandu/) > [Some writers are writing one great, big book and just taking all these different avenues towards it. They might seem on the outside to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chang-rae-lee/some-writers-are-writing-one-great-big-book-and-just-taking-all-these/) [Chang-Rae Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chang-rae-lee/) ## More by Eric Stoltz > [It's hard not to get a big head in the film industry, there are people on a set paid to cater to your every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/it-s-hard-not-to-get-a-big-head-in-the-film-industry-there-are-people/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [To this day I over prepare. I draw storyboards for every scene - chicken scratches so crude that they amuse and horrify the crew.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/to-this-day-i-over-prepare-i-draw-storyboards-for-every-scene-chicken/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [It seems I have a hard time being attracted to someone unless I respect what they do on some level. Otherwise, I would feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/it-seems-i-have-a-hard-time-being-attracted-to-someone-unless-i/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [You know, you grow up with the image of John Travolta being super cool - 'Saturday Night Fever,' Brian De Palma, handsome young god...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/you-know-you-grow-up-with-the-image-of-john-travolta-being-super-cool/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [Things happen to everybody in the course of a lifetime. Relationships end, people die, tragedy befalls everyone. So everyone has this wealth of experience,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/things-happen-to-everybody-in-the-course-of-a-lifetime-relationships/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [I realize I'm a very lucky man. I love what I do, I love films, TV and theatre, and the fact that I'm able…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/i-realize-i-m-a-very-lucky-man-i-love-what-i-do-i-love-films-tv-and/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [I have a love/hate relationship with just about all technology in my life. My first typewriter in particular. I had a helluva time putting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/i-have-a-love-hate-relationship-with-just-about-all-technology-in-my/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [TV, in particular cable channels, has assumed the role of independent film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/tv-in-particular-cable-channels-has-assumed-the-role-of-independent/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [My parents moved to American Samoa when I was three or four years old. My dad was principal of a high school there. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/my-parents-moved-to-american-samoa-when-i-was-three-or-four-years-old/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [I'll be directing some more 'Private Practice' episodes when we wrap 'Caprica.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/i-ll-be-directing-some-more-private-practice-episodes-when-we-wrap/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [It seems that whatever we do is somehow beyond reproach - murder, rape, drunk driving - as long as we go on a TV…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/it-seems-that-whatever-we-do-is-somehow-beyond-reproach-murder-rape/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [I don't want to see the zipper in the back of the monster suit. Like everybody else who goes to the movies, I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/i-don-t-want-to-see-the-zipper-in-the-back-of-the-monster-suit-like/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [I'm not sure who's right, who's wrong, but it doesn't matter. Sometimes you just have to do what you're told. That's who we are!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/i-m-not-sure-who-s-right-who-s-wrong-but-it-doesn-t-matter-sometimes/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [Directing has only increased my admiration and respect for what it is that actors do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/directing-has-only-increased-my-admiration-and-respect-for-what-it-is/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [On the other hand, I would've been exceedingly rich, which would've been wonderful!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/on-the-other-hand-i-would-ve-been-exceedingly-rich-which-would-ve/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) [Explore all 45 Eric Stoltz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) ## More Alimony quotes > [Alimony - the ransom that the happy pay to the devil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/alimony-the-ransom-that-the-happy-pay-to-the-devil/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [We're all divorced from reality; the only question is whether you're paying alimony or receiving it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-alejandro-king-aka-the-covert-comic/we-re-all-divorced-from-reality-the-only-question-is-whether-you-re/) [John Alejandro King Aka The Covert Comic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-alejandro-king-aka-the-covert-comic/) > [Most men don't realize their wife's worth till a judge decides the alimony amount](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/most-men-don-t-realize-their-wife-s-worth-till-a-judge-decides-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [People go to restaurants for so many different reasons. To court a girl, to make some deal. Maybe to talk to some lawyer about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gay-talese/people-go-to-restaurants-for-so-many-different-reasons-to-court-a/) [Gay Talese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gay-talese/) > [Let me be serious: divorce is a sacred institution between a man and a woman who hate each other. God wanted Adam to pay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-black/let-me-be-serious-divorce-is-a-sacred-institution-between-a-man-and-a/) [Lewis Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-black/) > [Bigamy is one way of avoiding the painful publicity of divorce and the expense of alimony.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-herford/bigamy-is-one-way-of-avoiding-the-painful-publicity-of-divorce-and/) [Oliver Herford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-herford/) > [“We have FCC, abandoned alimony payments, assault and battery, Homeland Security escalation, and that's before we invite the IRS to take a walk on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-goldstein/we-have-fcc-abandoned-alimony-payments-assault-and-battery-homeland/) [Ken Goldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-goldstein/) > [I'm paying the third highest alimony and child support in the world. And the only two ahead of me are sheiks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burt-reynolds/i-m-paying-the-third-highest-alimony-and-child-support-in-the-world/) [Burt Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/burt-reynolds/) > [My compulsion to always be working has become less strong and my current business is purely down to this enormous alimony. If I wasn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cleese/my-compulsion-to-always-be-working-has-become-less-strong-and-my/) [John Cleese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cleese/) > [My mother didn't feel sorry for herself, she was left with no child support, no alimony at a very young age, with a child…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kellyanne-conway/my-mother-didn-t-feel-sorry-for-herself-she-was-left-with-no-child/) [Kellyanne Conway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kellyanne-conway/) > [“On alimony: "Why should it be your ex's responsibility to give you a lifestyle that you yourself cannot afford?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-johnson/on-alimony-why-should-it-be-your-ex-s-responsibility-to-give-you-a/) [emma johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-johnson/) > [L.A. ispolluted. It's overpopulated. But it is very much home. It was inevitable for me, the moving back. I was living in San Francisco,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-ellroy/l-a-ispolluted-it-s-overpopulated-but-it-is-very-much-home-it-was/) [James Ellroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-ellroy/) > [Alimony is like buying oats for a dead horse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-baer/alimony-is-like-buying-oats-for-a-dead-horse/) [Arthur Baer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-baer/) > [There are so many varieties of films. You've got the jet-lagged films, where you fly to Bulgaria or wherever and get off the plane,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lance-henriksen/there-are-so-many-varieties-of-films-you-ve-got-the-jet-lagged-films/) [Lance Henriksen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lance-henriksen/) > [The novel is final form; it's the ultimate individual final form. Television and motion pictures never get there. You'd be fabulous to think that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-ellroy/the-novel-is-final-form-it-s-the-ultimate-individual-final-form/) [James Ellroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-ellroy/) [Browse all 48 Alimony quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alimony/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I know a lot of writers who would much rather be writing the Great American Novel, but they've got bills to pay and alimony, and so they take a job at a less-than-reputable paper. 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