--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I never know what I'm going to talk about…" description: "\"I never know what I'm going to talk about until I get on stage. I never give the same lecture twice, which is why I'll have people follow me from place..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ced/harlan-ellison-2133_lecture_i-never-know-what-i-m-going-to-talk-abou_684518.jpg" --- # I never know what I'm going to talk about until I get on… ![“I never know what I'm going to talk about until I get on stage. I never give the same lecture twice, which is why I'll have people follow me from place to place like Deadheads.” quote by Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ced/harlan-ellison-2133_lecture_i-never-know-what-i-m-going-to-talk-abou_684518.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ced/harlan-ellison-2133_lecture_i-never-know-what-i-m-going-to-talk-abou_684518.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ced/harlan-ellison-2133_lecture_i-never-know-what-i-m-going-to-talk-abou_684518.jpg) > “I never know what I'm going to talk about until I get on stage. I never give the same lecture twice, which is why I'll have people follow me from place to place like Deadheads.” [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Spontaneity drives creativity; the speaker discovers topics only when performing, leading to unique, unrepeated presentations that attract devoted followers. **In simple terms:** Improvisation fuels fresh, engaging talks. Key Takeaway Embrace spontaneity on stage. Themes creativity performance authenticity Mood energetic confident Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - public speaking - workshops - live events - teaching Key Concepts improvisation audience connection Questions to Reflect On - What strategies keep improvised talks coherent? - How does audience energy shape your content? A Different Perspective Risk of incoherence without preparation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Stage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stage/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [I think people can't believe I can still walk and talk and get on the stage without assistance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-reid/i-think-people-can-t-believe-i-can-still-walk-and-talk-and-get-on-the/) [Anne Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-reid/) > [I knew that this was what I wanted to talk about on stage. There was no point being coy about it, or pretending that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-clary/i-knew-that-this-was-what-i-wanted-to-talk-about-on-stage-there-was/) [Julian Clary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-clary/) > [People getting along doesn't sell very well in the news. I find that to be deeply depressing. I don't even talk about it on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-birbiglia/people-getting-along-doesn-t-sell-very-well-in-the-news-i-find-that/) [Mike Birbiglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-birbiglia/) > [The truth is, whoever I've dated, if I've ever wanted to talk about them on stage, I've asked them first, and I've gotten their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-schumer/the-truth-is-whoever-i-ve-dated-if-i-ve-ever-wanted-to-talk-about/) [Amy Schumer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-schumer/) > [I like to talk while I'm on stage. It makes the show more personal. 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Was that a thank you, or a lecture?” I stared back at Ramona, eyebrows raised. “A bit of both, I suppose.” She laughed.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-sobon/wait-was-that-a-thank-you-or-a-lecture-i-stared-back-at-ramona/) [Nicole Sobon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-sobon/) > [The interval allowed was only five minutes, at the end of which I resumed the lecture; but so refreshing was the effects of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-combe/the-interval-allowed-was-only-five-minutes-at-the-end-of-which-i/) [George Combe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-combe/) > [ “Nothing could be more admirable than the manner in which for forty years he \[Joseph Black\] performed this useful and dignified office. 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Once you had suffered the experience of presenting a case at one of his Monday morning conferences,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-storr/i-owed-lewis-one-thing-at-least-once-you-had-suffered-the-experience/) [Anthony Storr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-storr/) > [To the distracting occupations belong especially my lecture courses which I am holding this winter for the first time, and which now cost much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-friedrich-gauss/to-the-distracting-occupations-belong-especially-my-lecture-courses/) [Carl Friedrich Gauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-friedrich-gauss/) > [Only bad teachers lecture at a tutorial.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-starkey/only-bad-teachers-lecture-at-a-tutorial/) [David Starkey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-starkey/) > [I don't join the New Atheists. So, for example, I wouldn't have the arrogance to lecture some mother who hopes to see her dying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/i-don-t-join-the-new-atheists-so-for-example-i-wouldn-t-have-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) ## More by Harlan Ellison > [Posing the question: does the god of love use underarm deodorant, vaginal spray and fluoride toothpaste?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/posing-the-question-does-the-god-of-love-use-underarm-deodorant/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [They change scapegoats at the networks more regularly than some people change socks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/they-change-scapegoats-at-the-networks-more-regularly-than-some/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [They minute people fall in love they become liars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/they-minute-people-fall-in-love-they-become-liars/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [Repent, Harlequin," said the Ticktock Man. "Get stuffed," the Harlequin replied.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/repent-harlequin-said-the-ticktock-man-get-stuffed-the-harlequin/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [“Living under the land, under the sea, in the belly of AM, whom we created...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/living-under-the-land-under-the-sea-in-the-belly-of-am-whom-we-created/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [I have no mouth. 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They'll make you look like chopped liver.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/don-t-start-an-argument-with-somebody-who-has-a-microphone-when-you/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [“I intend to keep writing stories that piss people off, that tell the particular kind of truth I think is valid, that will make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/i-intend-to-keep-writing-stories-that-piss-people-off-that-tell-the/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [“Who Needs the Taj Mahal when it's a drag to live at all?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/who-needs-the-taj-mahal-when-it-s-a-drag-to-live-at-all/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [Like a wind crying endlessly through the universe, Time carries away the names and the deeds of conquerors and commoners alike. 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So, for example, I wouldn't have the arrogance to lecture some mother who hopes to see her dying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/i-don-t-join-the-new-atheists-so-for-example-i-wouldn-t-have-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Only bad teachers lecture at a tutorial.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-starkey/only-bad-teachers-lecture-at-a-tutorial/) [David Starkey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-starkey/) > [To the distracting occupations belong especially my lecture courses which I am holding this winter for the first time, and which now cost much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-friedrich-gauss/to-the-distracting-occupations-belong-especially-my-lecture-courses/) [Carl Friedrich Gauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-friedrich-gauss/) > [I owed Lewis one thing, at least. Once you had suffered the experience of presenting a case at one of his Monday morning conferences,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-storr/i-owed-lewis-one-thing-at-least-once-you-had-suffered-the-experience/) [Anthony Storr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-storr/) > [My parents never really lecture me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-parents-never-really-lecture-me/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Every lecture should state one main point and repeat it over and over, like a theme with variations. An audience is like a herd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gian-carlo-rota/every-lecture-should-state-one-main-point-and-repeat-it-over-and-over/) [Gian-Carlo Rota](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gian-carlo-rota/) > [ “Nothing could be more admirable than the manner in which for forty years he \[Joseph Black\] performed this useful and dignified office. His style… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-peter-brougham/nothing-could-be-more-admirable-than-the-manner-in-which-for-forty/) Henry Peter Brougham > [The interval allowed was only five minutes, at the end of which I resumed the lecture; but so refreshing was the effects of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-combe/the-interval-allowed-was-only-five-minutes-at-the-end-of-which-i/) [George Combe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-combe/) > [“Wait. Was that a thank you, or a lecture?” I stared back at Ramona, eyebrows raised. “A bit of both, I suppose.” She laughed.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-sobon/wait-was-that-a-thank-you-or-a-lecture-i-stared-back-at-ramona/) [Nicole Sobon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-sobon/) > [Our leaders increasingly see fit to lecture the ethnic minorities on the need to integrate, including of course the need to speak English. What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-jacques/our-leaders-increasingly-see-fit-to-lecture-the-ethnic-minorities-on/) [Martin Jacques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-jacques/) > [I can't say that my disability has helped my work, but it has allowed me to concentrate on research without having to lecture or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hawking/i-can-t-say-that-my-disability-has-helped-my-work-but-it-has-allowed/) [Stephen Hawking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hawking/) > [I will gladly lecture for fifty dollars, but I'll not be a guest for less than a hundred.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/i-will-gladly-lecture-for-fifty-dollars-but-i-ll-not-be-a-guest-for/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [The poem in which the reader does not feel himself or herself a participant is a lecture, listened to from an uncomfortable chair, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-oliver/the-poem-in-which-the-reader-does-not-feel-himself-or-herself-a/) [Mary Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-oliver/) > [Tackling the environment should not be a licence to lecture people, because they have no excuse not to exercise, or eat their fruit and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lansley/tackling-the-environment-should-not-be-a-licence-to-lecture-people/) [Andrew Lansley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lansley/) > [To be a teacher does not mean simply to affirm that such a thing is so, or to deliver a lecture, etc.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soren-kierkegaard/to-be-a-teacher-does-not-mean-simply-to-affirm-that-such-a-thing-is/) [Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/) Browse all 167 Lecture quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I never know what I'm going to talk about until I get on stage. 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