Books Quote by Florence King
““Writers make everybody nervous but we terrify Silly Service workers. Our apartments always look like a front for something, and no matter how carefully we tidy up for guests we always seem to miss the note card that says, "Margaret has to die soon." We own the kind of books that spies use to construct codes, like The Letters of Mme. de Sevigne, and we are the only people in the world who write oxymoron in the margin of the Bible. Manuscripts in the fridge in case of fire, Strunk's Elements in the bathroom, the Laramie City Directory explained away with "It might come in handy," all strike fear in the GS-7 heart. Nobody really wants to sleep with a writer, but Silly Service workers won't even talk to us.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Writer’s Life, Florence King, 1979
Writers live surrounded by oddities and anxieties, their lives marked by eccentric habits and a sense of being misunderstood.
In simple terms: Writers are quirky and anxious.
Key Takeaway
Embrace your quirks, but seek balance.
Themes
creativity
anxiety
misunderstanding
eccentricity
Mood
wry
observational
Type
humorous
satirical
When to use this quote
- writing retreats
- social gatherings
- personal organization
- mental health management
Key Concepts
psychology
social dynamics
literary culture
Questions to Reflect On
- Do your habits help or hinder you?
- How can you balance creativity with normalcy?
A Different Perspective
The self‑imposed isolation can hinder connection and productivity.
