--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you're writing, you're in a totally…" description: "\"When you're writing, you're in a totally different zone... I can start a difficult poem and look up at the clock and see to my astonishment that three ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3c/felix-dennis-3862_astonishment_when-you-re-writing-you-re-in-a-totally_827445.png" --- # When you're writing, you're in a totally different zone… ![“When you're writing, you're in a totally different zone... I can start a difficult poem and look up at the clock and see to my astonishment that three hours have passed.” quote by Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3c/felix-dennis-3862_astonishment_when-you-re-writing-you-re-in-a-totally_827445.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3c/felix-dennis-3862_astonishment_when-you-re-writing-you-re-in-a-totally_827445.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3c/felix-dennis-3862_astonishment_when-you-re-writing-you-re-in-a-totally_827445.png) > “When you're writing, you're in a totally different zone... I can start a difficult poem and look up at the clock and see to my astonishment that three hours have passed.” [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writing can transport you into deep focus where time seems to disappear. **In simple terms:** Writing creates deep focus that hides time. Key Takeaway Embrace flow state when writing. Themes creativity focus time perception Mood engaged immersed Type motivational reflective When to use this quote - writing sessions - creative projects - study periods Key Concepts flow deep work psychology Questions to Reflect On - How do you know when you’re in flow? - What signs signal you need a break? A Different Perspective Flow can lead to neglect of breaks and health. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Astonishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astonishment/) [Astonishment Hours](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astonishment-hours-527555/) [Clock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clock/) [Clock Astonishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clock-astonishment-527554/) [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Different Zone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different-zone-527557/) [Difficult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficult/) [Difficult Poem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficult-poem-527556/) [Hours](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hours/) [I can](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-can/) [Look](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/look/) [Passed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passed/) [Poem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poem/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [See](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/see/) [Start](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/start/) [Three](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/three/) [Totally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/totally/) [Up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/up/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/) [Zone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/zone/) ## Related quotes > [We come from New Orleans, so everything is emotional - for, once the music takes over, and we start blowing, we go into a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trombone-shorty/we-come-from-new-orleans-so-everything-is-emotional-for-once-the/) [Trombone Shorty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trombone-shorty/) > [There's no artist in this world that doesn't enjoy the dream that if they have bad reviews now, the story of Keats can redeem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-campion/there-s-no-artist-in-this-world-that-doesn-t-enjoy-the-dream-that-if/) [Jane Campion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-campion/) > [Sometimes, people trying to commit suicide manage it in a manner that leaves them breathless with astonishment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/sometimes-people-trying-to-commit-suicide-manage-it-in-a-manner-that/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [It was only when I lay there on the rotting prison straw that I sensed within myself the first stirrings of good. Gradually it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleksandr-solzhenitsyn/it-was-only-when-i-lay-there-on-the-rotting-prison-straw-that-i/) [Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleksandr-solzhenitsyn/) > [“For the analyst it is a source of never-ending astonishment how comparatively well a person can function with the core of himself not participating.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-horney/for-the-analyst-it-is-a-source-of-never-ending-astonishment-how/) [Karen Horney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-horney/) > [Both of you’ll just have to believe me. Emma’s one of those women who was born with… The thing is, the minute a heterosexual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-elizabeth-phillips/both-of-you-ll-just-have-to-believe-me-emma-s-one-of-those-women-who/) [Susan Elizabeth Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-elizabeth-phillips/) > [For a moment Clary thought she might fall; she felt as if something essential had been torn away from her, an arm or a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/for-a-moment-clary-thought-she-might-fall-she-felt-as-if-something/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“See? Nothing to it." "I see all right," Carly said, her tone full of awe. She gaped at him. "What?" "Um..." "Jesus, Carly, what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lissa-bryan/see-nothing-to-it-i-see-all-right-carly-said-her-tone-full-of-awe-she/) [Lissa Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lissa-bryan/) > [Those who have past much of their lives in this great city, look upon its opulence and its multitudes, its extent and variety, with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/those-who-have-past-much-of-their-lives-in-this-great-city-look-upon/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“Witness each moment in astounded jubilation. Take every holy breath in gratitude. Rejoice in life!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/witness-each-moment-in-astounded-jubilation-take-every-holy-breath-in/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [If you aren't constantly astonished at God's grace in your solitude, there's no way it can happen in public.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/if-you-aren-t-constantly-astonished-at-god-s-grace-in-your-solitude/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [If there be a skeptical star I was born under it. Yet I have lived all my days in complete astonishment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-macneile-dixon/if-there-be-a-skeptical-star-i-was-born-under-it-yet-i-have-lived-all/) [William Macneile Dixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-macneile-dixon/) > [A lot of what I am looking for is a moment of astonishment, he says. Those moments of pure consciousness when you involuntarily inhale…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-meyerowitz/a-lot-of-what-i-am-looking-for-is-a-moment-of-astonishment-he-says/) [Joel Meyerowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-meyerowitz/) > [Rich men are resolved to be astonished at nothing. When they see a masterpiece, they must needs at one glance recognize some flaw to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/rich-men-are-resolved-to-be-astonished-at-nothing-when-they-see-a/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [“A writer lives, at least, in a state of astonishment. Beneath any feeling he has of the good or evil of the world lies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-sansom/a-writer-lives-at-least-in-a-state-of-astonishment-beneath-any/) [William Sansom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-sansom/) ## More by Felix Dennis > [I should have liked to get married, but over many decades I have lived essentially alone. I go to sleep when I'm tired, get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/i-should-have-liked-to-get-married-but-over-many-decades-i-have-lived/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [It's a long, slow sunset for ink-on-paper magazines, but sunsets can produce vast sums of money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/it-s-a-long-slow-sunset-for-ink-on-paper-magazines-but-sunsets-can/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [I love the business of business; I love the risk raking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/i-love-the-business-of-business-i-love-the-risk-raking/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [People really do not have time to read all the newspapers in the world and all the sites that we now commonly use on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/people-really-do-not-have-time-to-read-all-the-newspapers-in-the/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [Fear not. For fear itself is fed by fear, and all fears pass. Did no one tell you so? Come take my hand, my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/fear-not-for-fear-itself-is-fed-by-fear-and-all-fears-pass-did-no-one/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [False praise is worse than no praise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/false-praise-is-worse-than-no-praise/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > ['The Week' is my favourite magazine. Everyone from presidents to CEOs of companies love it, politicians, people in the massive charity business in America,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/the-week-is-my-favourite-magazine-everyone-from-presidents-to-ceos-of/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [Talent is indispensable, although it is 'always' replaceable. Just remember the simple rules concerning talent: Identify It, Hire It, Nurture It, Reward It, Protect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/talent-is-indispensable-although-it-is-always-replaceable-just/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [I cannot abide being bored.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/i-cannot-abide-being-bored/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [Publishing magazines for yourself is not good business, man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/publishing-magazines-for-yourself-is-not-good-business-man/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [Posthumous reputations have little to do with real lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/posthumous-reputations-have-little-to-do-with-real-lives/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [Good ideas are like Nike sports shoes. They may facilitate success for an athlete who possesses them, but on their own they are nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/good-ideas-are-like-nike-sports-shoes-they-may-facilitate-success-for/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [The best thing about being immensely wealthy is not having to be in any particular place at any particular time doing a particular task…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/the-best-thing-about-being-immensely-wealthy-is-not-having-to-be-in/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [What is negotiation but the accumulation of small lies leading to advantage?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/what-is-negotiation-but-the-accumulation-of-small-lies-leading-to/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [Obviously, waste disposal is an enormous and fantastic industry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/obviously-waste-disposal-is-an-enormous-and-fantastic-industry/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) [Explore all 120 Felix Dennis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) ## More Astonishment quotes > [“A writer lives, at least, in a state of astonishment. Beneath any feeling he has of the good or evil of the world lies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-sansom/a-writer-lives-at-least-in-a-state-of-astonishment-beneath-any/) [William Sansom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-sansom/) > [Rich men are resolved to be astonished at nothing. When they see a masterpiece, they must needs at one glance recognize some flaw to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/rich-men-are-resolved-to-be-astonished-at-nothing-when-they-see-a/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [A lot of what I am looking for is a moment of astonishment, he says. Those moments of pure consciousness when you involuntarily inhale…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-meyerowitz/a-lot-of-what-i-am-looking-for-is-a-moment-of-astonishment-he-says/) [Joel Meyerowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-meyerowitz/) > [If there be a skeptical star I was born under it. Yet I have lived all my days in complete astonishment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-macneile-dixon/if-there-be-a-skeptical-star-i-was-born-under-it-yet-i-have-lived-all/) [William Macneile Dixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-macneile-dixon/) > [If you aren't constantly astonished at God's grace in your solitude, there's no way it can happen in public.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/if-you-aren-t-constantly-astonished-at-god-s-grace-in-your-solitude/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [“Witness each moment in astounded jubilation. Take every holy breath in gratitude. Rejoice in life!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/witness-each-moment-in-astounded-jubilation-take-every-holy-breath-in/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [Those who have past much of their lives in this great city, look upon its opulence and its multitudes, its extent and variety, with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/those-who-have-past-much-of-their-lives-in-this-great-city-look-upon/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“See? Nothing to it." "I see all right," Carly said, her tone full of awe. She gaped at him. "What?" "Um..." "Jesus, Carly, what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lissa-bryan/see-nothing-to-it-i-see-all-right-carly-said-her-tone-full-of-awe-she/) [Lissa Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lissa-bryan/) > [For a moment Clary thought she might fall; she felt as if something essential had been torn away from her, an arm or a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/for-a-moment-clary-thought-she-might-fall-she-felt-as-if-something/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Both of you’ll just have to believe me. Emma’s one of those women who was born with… The thing is, the minute a heterosexual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-elizabeth-phillips/both-of-you-ll-just-have-to-believe-me-emma-s-one-of-those-women-who/) [Susan Elizabeth Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-elizabeth-phillips/) > [“For the analyst it is a source of never-ending astonishment how comparatively well a person can function with the core of himself not participating.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-horney/for-the-analyst-it-is-a-source-of-never-ending-astonishment-how/) [Karen Horney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-horney/) > [It was only when I lay there on the rotting prison straw that I sensed within myself the first stirrings of good. Gradually it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleksandr-solzhenitsyn/it-was-only-when-i-lay-there-on-the-rotting-prison-straw-that-i/) [Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleksandr-solzhenitsyn/) > [Sometimes, people trying to commit suicide manage it in a manner that leaves them breathless with astonishment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/sometimes-people-trying-to-commit-suicide-manage-it-in-a-manner-that/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [When I wake up, I wake to something worse. It’s the astonishment of being myself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/when-i-wake-up-i-wake-to-something-worse-it-s-the-astonishment-of/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [What shall I say! And how shall I describe this Birth to you? For this wonder fills me with astonishment. The Ancient of Days…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-john-chrysostom/what-shall-i-say-and-how-shall-i-describe-this-birth-to-you-for-this/) [Saint John Chrysostom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-john-chrysostom/) [Browse all 227 Astonishment quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astonishment/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When you're writing, you're in a totally different zone... 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