--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The only thing worth writing about is…" description: "\"“The only thing worth writing about is people. People . Human beings. Men and women whose individuality must be created, line by line, insight by insig..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b43/harlan-ellison-2133_individuality_the-only-thing-worth-writing-about-is-pe_3057313.jpg" --- # The only thing worth writing about is people. People… ![“The only thing worth writing about is people. People . Human beings. Men and women whose individuality must be created, line by line, insight by insight.” quote by Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b43/harlan-ellison-2133_individuality_the-only-thing-worth-writing-about-is-pe_3057313.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b43/harlan-ellison-2133_individuality_the-only-thing-worth-writing-about-is-pe_3057313.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b43/harlan-ellison-2133_individuality_the-only-thing-worth-writing-about-is-pe_3057313.jpg) > ““The only thing worth writing about is people. People . Human beings. Men and women whose individuality must be created, line by line, insight by insight.”” [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. Writing should focus on the depth and uniqueness of human experience, not abstract ideas. **In simple terms:** Write about people and their individuality. Key Takeaway Prioritize human stories. Themes creativity humanity individuality Mood reflective inspirational Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - novel writing - screenwriting - journalism - personal essays Key Concepts character development psychology Questions to Reflect On - How can you capture a person's essence in a scene? - What details reveal individuality? A Different Perspective May overlook broader societal contexts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Individuality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individuality/) [Men and women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-and-women/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“The only thing worth writing about is people. People. Human beings. Men and women whose individuality must be created, line by line, insight by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/the-only-thing-worth-writing-about-is-people-people-human-beings-men/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [It's important to me, no matter what size I am or weight I am, to feel beautiful. Even at my biggest I was rocking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khloe-kardashian/it-s-important-to-me-no-matter-what-size-i-am-or-weight-i-am-to-feel/) [Khloe Kardashian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khloe-kardashian/) > [We're dealing with sophisticated customers. What's most important to these women is individuality. I have to create things she'll want to wear, no matter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-de-la-renta/we-re-dealing-with-sophisticated-customers-what-s-most-important-to/) [Oscar de la Renta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-de-la-renta/) > [It's hard to tell how far women's individuality has come in the past twenty years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-lennox/it-s-hard-to-tell-how-far-women-s-individuality-has-come-in-the-past/) [Annie Lennox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-lennox/) > [I don't think there's any topic a writer should feel afraid of tackling just because it has already been discussed. If you feel you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jami-attenberg/i-don-t-think-there-s-any-topic-a-writer-should-feel-afraid-of/) [Jami Attenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jami-attenberg/) > [“Art is a conversation we are all invited to and are all worthy to participate in. Yes, great works can be intimidating, but no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hartman/art-is-a-conversation-we-are-all-invited-to-and-are-all-worthy-to/) [Rachel Hartman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hartman/) > [“Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing." -Benjamin Franklin I'm writing to free myself and free women from this prison. My…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huda-sharawi/either-write-something-worth-reading-or-do-something-worth-writing/) Huda Sharawi > [Nothing is worth doing at all, nothing is worth writing, which does not do something which will last.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-carmichael/nothing-is-worth-doing-at-all-nothing-is-worth-writing-which-does-not/) [Amy Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-carmichael/) > [some moments are nice, some are nicer, some are even worth writing about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bukowski/some-moments-are-nice-some-are-nicer-some-are-even-worth-writing-about/) [Charles Bukowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bukowski/) > [the problems of the human heart in conflict with itself which alone can make good writing because only that is worth writing about, worth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-faulkner/the-problems-of-the-human-heart-in-conflict-with-itself-which-alone/) [William Faulkner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-faulkner/) > [“If you would not be forgotten As soon as you are dead and rotten, Either write things worth reading, Or do things worth the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/if-you-would-not-be-forgotten-as-soon-as-you-are-dead-and-rotten/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Ben Franklin’s excellent advice: “If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-ferriss/ben-franklin-s-excellent-advice-if-you-would-not-be-forgotten-as-soon/) [Timothy Ferriss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-ferriss/) > [“Remember, a stranger once told you that the breeze here is something worth writing poems about.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shinji-moon/remember-a-stranger-once-told-you-that-the-breeze-here-is-something/) [Shinji Moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shinji-moon/) > [if you want your name to be remembered after your death either do something worth writing or write some thing worth reading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/if-you-want-your-name-to-be-remembered-after-your-death-either-do/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [“When a day goes by and I haven't written anything, I better have been doing something worth writing about.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-s-bartlett/when-a-day-goes-by-and-i-haven-t-written-anything-i-better-have-been/) P.S. Bartlett ## 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. And I must scream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/i-have-no-mouth-and-i-must-scream/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [There in the midst of the Amazon Jungle, Simon Haskell has cobbled up for himself a replica of an Art Deco salon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/there-in-the-midst-of-the-amazon-jungle-simon-haskell-has-cobbled-up/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [For the first time we have a weapon that nobody has used for thirty years. This gives me great hope for the human race.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/for-the-first-time-we-have-a-weapon-that-nobody-has-used-for-thirty/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [“There are forces in the world today, Mr. Winsocki, that are invisibly working to make us all carbon copies of one another. Forces that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/there-are-forces-in-the-world-today-mr-winsocki-that-are-invisibly/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [“Men rarely (if ever) manage to dream up a god superior to themselves. Most gods have the manners and morals of a spoiled child.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/men-rarely-if-ever-manage-to-dream-up-a-god-superior-to-themselves/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [I write a kind of surreal fantasy, but they can't put 'surreal fantasy' on a paperback.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/i-write-a-kind-of-surreal-fantasy-but-they-can-t-put-surreal-fantasy/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [Don't start an argument with somebody who has a microphone when you don't. 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. And all that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/like-a-wind-crying-endlessly-through-the-universe-time-carries-away/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) [Explore all 165 Harlan Ellison quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) ## More Individuality quotes > [Personal Style comes from within. It's when the woman, her individuality and spirit come through. She uses clothes to express who she is and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-karan/personal-style-comes-from-within-it-s-when-the-woman-her/) [Donna Karan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-karan/) > [She might be without country, without nation, but inside her there was still a being that could exist and be free, that could simply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-maas/she-might-be-without-country-without-nation-but-inside-her-there-was/) [Sharon Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-maas/) > [You are no mistake. What makes you different is what makes you special, unique, original. You are a MASTERPIECE, a PIECE of the MASTER!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-w-griffin/you-are-no-mistake-what-makes-you-different-is-what-makes-you-special/) [Kenneth W Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-w-griffin/) > [There is a way in which the collective knowledge of mankind expresses itself, for the finite individual, through mere daily living . . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurens-van-der-post/there-is-a-way-in-which-the-collective-knowledge-of-mankind-expresses/) [Laurens van der Post](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurens-van-der-post/) > [Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/everything-that-is-really-great-and-inspiring-is-created-by-the/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Let your mind be its own and enjoy what you can not all things in life are in need of a plan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-timbre/let-your-mind-be-its-own-and-enjoy-what-you-can-not-all-things-in/) [Jamie Timbre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-timbre/) > [My philosophy is TRUTH unto me. Through expressing my individuality I become free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stuart-wilde/my-philosophy-is-truth-unto-me-through-expressing-my-individuality-i/) [Stuart Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stuart-wilde/) > [The male dares to be different to the degree that he accepts his passivity and his desire to be female, his fagginess. The farthest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-solanas/the-male-dares-to-be-different-to-the-degree-that-he-accepts-his/) [Valerie Solanas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-solanas/) > [Every fact of science was once Damned. Every invention was considered impossible. Every discovery was a nervous shock to some orthodoxy. Every artistic innovation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-anton-wilson/every-fact-of-science-was-once-damned-every-invention-was-considered/) [Robert Anton Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-anton-wilson/) > [“You will not reap the fruit of individuality in your children if you clone their education.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-howshall/you-will-not-reap-the-fruit-of-individuality-in-your-children-if-you/) Marilyn Howshall > [Every one of us is, in the cosmic perspective, precious. If a human disagrees with you, let him live. In a hundred billion galaxies,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/every-one-of-us-is-in-the-cosmic-perspective-precious-if-a-human/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [Accepting your teen's individuality and natural evolution is one of the most difficult challenges you'll face as a parent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-mogel/accepting-your-teen-s-individuality-and-natural-evolution-is-one-of/) [Wendy Mogel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-mogel/) > [The point I wish plainly to bring before you on this occasion is the individuality of each human soul--our Protestant idea, the right of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-cady-stanton/the-point-i-wish-plainly-to-bring-before-you-on-this-occasion-is-the/) [Elizabeth Cady Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-cady-stanton/) > [If every person has the right to defend - even by force - his person, his liberty, and his property, then it follows that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-bastiat/if-every-person-has-the-right-to-defend-even-by-force-his-person-his/) [Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-bastiat/) > [I regard individuality as the most precious trait we have, because without it there is no creativity, there is no consciousness, there is no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murray-bookchin/i-regard-individuality-as-the-most-precious-trait-we-have-because/) [Murray Bookchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murray-bookchin/) [Browse all 1,709 Individuality quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individuality/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The only thing worth writing about is people. 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