--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Writing is the hardest work in the world…" description: "\"Writing is the hardest work in the world. I have been a bricklayer and a truck driver, and I tell you – as if you haven't been told a million times alr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb3/harlan-ellison-2133_bricklayers_writing-is-the-hardest-work-in-the-world_1553095.jpg" --- # Writing is the hardest work in the world. I have been a… ![“Writing is the hardest work in the world. I have been a bricklayer and a truck driver, and I tell you – as if you haven't been told a million times already – that writing is harder. Lonelier. And nobler and more enriching.” quote by Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb3/harlan-ellison-2133_bricklayers_writing-is-the-hardest-work-in-the-world_1553095.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb3/harlan-ellison-2133_bricklayers_writing-is-the-hardest-work-in-the-world_1553095.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb3/harlan-ellison-2133_bricklayers_writing-is-the-hardest-work-in-the-world_1553095.jpg) > “Writing is the hardest work in the world. I have been a bricklayer and a truck driver, and I tell you – as if you haven't been told a million times already – that writing is harder. Lonelier. And nobler and more enriching.” [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. He asserts that writing is exceptionally demanding, solitary, and noble, surpassing even physically tough jobs in its difficulty and reward. **In simple terms:** Writing is tough, lonely, but rewarding. Key Takeaway Respect the difficulty and seek depth in writing. Themes writing solitude hardship nobility enrichment Mood contemplative determined Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - novel drafting - screenplay development - freelance writing - career change Key Concepts creative labor personal sacrifice Questions to Reflect On - What drives you despite isolation? - Can hardship enhance artistic quality? A Different Perspective Physical labor can be less mentally draining for some. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bricklayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bricklayers/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Writing is the hardest work in the world not involving heavy lifting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-hamill/writing-is-the-hardest-work-in-the-world-not-involving-heavy-lifting/) [Pete Hamill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-hamill/) > [I guess Titanic because it made the most money. No, I'm kidding. I don't really have a favorite. Maybe Terminator because that was the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-cameron/i-guess-titanic-because-it-made-the-most-money-no-i-m-kidding-i-don-t/) [James Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-cameron/) > [Playing in an independent rock band will eventually make you equal parts truck driver, gladiator and mule. Glamour is for those with trust funds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neko-case/playing-in-an-independent-rock-band-will-eventually-make-you-equal/) [Neko Case](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neko-case/) > [I love the smell of Waffle House; it's the smell of freedom, being on the open road and knowing that ninety percent of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-redmerski/i-love-the-smell-of-waffle-house-it-s-the-smell-of-freedom-being-on/) [J.A. Redmerski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-redmerski/) > [To try and imagine that I'm another person is always going to be hard - whether I'm writing about a truck driver or someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-k-vaughan/to-try-and-imagine-that-i-m-another-person-is-always-going-to-be-hard/) [Brian K. Vaughan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-k-vaughan/) > [I grew up in a household that was a labor household. My dad was a Teamster and a milk truck driver. My mother was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-gephardt/i-grew-up-in-a-household-that-was-a-labor-household-my-dad-was-a/) [Dick Gephardt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-gephardt/) > [My dad was a truck driver. We all used to ride along with him. And the way he'd keep awake was to sing while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-van-zant/my-dad-was-a-truck-driver-we-all-used-to-ride-along-with-him-and-the/) [Johnny Van Zant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-van-zant/) > [I'm driving my old car until I'm on a first name basis with the low tow truck drivers!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-singletary/i-m-driving-my-old-car-until-i-m-on-a-first-name-basis-with-the-low/) [Michelle Singletary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-singletary/) > [I wanted to be a truck driver. I love driving long distances!!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-mason/i-wanted-to-be-a-truck-driver-i-love-driving-long-distances/) [Karen Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-mason/) > [You see, I used to do a certain amount of market research by going to the local drugstore and seeing what the truck drivers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-pournelle/you-see-i-used-to-do-a-certain-amount-of-market-research-by-going-to/) [Jerry Pournelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-pournelle/) > [My father was a truck driver, made $50 a week. And the reason why I know that so vividly is my Mom used to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mathew-knowles/my-father-was-a-truck-driver-made-50-a-week-and-the-reason-why-i-know/) [Mathew Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mathew-knowles/) > [From 1965 to 1974, I served the best possible apprenticeship for an actor. I learned firsthand how a truck driver lives, what a bartender…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-dennehy/from-1965-to-1974-i-served-the-best-possible-apprenticeship-for-an/) [Brian Dennehy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-dennehy/) > [I'm very proud of being Italian-American, but people don't realize that the mafia is just this aberration. The real community is built on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chazz-palminteri/i-m-very-proud-of-being-italian-american-but-people-don-t-realize/) [Chazz Palminteri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chazz-palminteri/) > [His saliva tasted like the wet dicks of ten thousand lonely truck drivers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/his-saliva-tasted-like-the-wet-dicks-of-ten-thousand-lonely-truck/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [(knitting while on a motorcycle) "For several years she knitted in secret (my father would not approve; she was to concentrate on motorcycling and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-zimmermann/knitting-while-on-a-motorcycle-for-several-years-she-knitted-in/) [Elizabeth Zimmermann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-zimmermann/) ## 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 Bricklayers quotes > [When it comes to getting things done, we need fewer architects and more bricklayers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-it-comes-to-getting-things-done-we-need-fewer-architects-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I was the worst bricklayer in the world. I can show you buildings I worked on - they're a hazard. I closed a window…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-cooper/i-was-the-worst-bricklayer-in-the-world-i-can-show-you-buildings-i/) [Pat Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-cooper/) > [I look upon myself as a musical bricklayer with architectural aspirations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-mayer/i-look-upon-myself-as-a-musical-bricklayer-with-architectural/) [Robert Mayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-mayer/) > [Music is my life. The last job I had, I was a bricklayer's apprentice. And I was happy with that job, too, because it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-wahlberg/music-is-my-life-the-last-job-i-had-i-was-a-bricklayer-s-apprentice/) [Mark Wahlberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-wahlberg/) > [If I had been a bricklayer Id still have been a journeyman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-l-turner/if-i-had-been-a-bricklayer-id-still-have-been-a-journeyman/) [Fred L. Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-l-turner/) > [I think with my hands, it was catching a lot of footballs and working with my father during the summer because he would always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-rice/i-think-with-my-hands-it-was-catching-a-lot-of-footballs-and-working/) [Jerry Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-rice/) > [My father was a guy most comfortable in the company of bricklayers and carpenters and electricians. And I have a lot of that in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/my-father-was-a-guy-most-comfortable-in-the-company-of-bricklayers/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [I felt that everything is beautiful, but that which man tries intentionally to make beautiful; that the work of an ordinary bricklayer is more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellsworth-kelly/i-felt-that-everything-is-beautiful-but-that-which-man-tries/) [Ellsworth Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellsworth-kelly/) > [The important thing is to take the bricklayer and make him understand that he’s building a home, not just laying bricks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/the-important-thing-is-to-take-the-bricklayer-and-make-him-understand/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [I grew up in a brick house. What's wrong with bricks? An Englishman took me aside and said, "You have to understand, all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-andre/i-grew-up-in-a-brick-house-what-s-wrong-with-bricks-an-englishman/) [Carl Andre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-andre/) > [The prejudice of the race appears stronger in the States that have abolished slaves than in the States where slavery still exists. White carpenters,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/the-prejudice-of-the-race-appears-stronger-in-the-states-that-have/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [My mother has always been unhappy with what I do. She would rather I do something nicer, like be a bricklayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mick-jagger/my-mother-has-always-been-unhappy-with-what-i-do-she-would-rather-i/) [Mick Jagger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mick-jagger/) > [The only other thing that interested me as a kid was being a bricklayer. So if I hadn't become an actress, I would probably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-cox/the-only-other-thing-that-interested-me-as-a-kid-was-being-a/) [Nikki Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-cox/) > [I get inspired with passion, I think. I get inspired by people who are just passionate, and it doesn't matter what they do or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-jackson/i-get-inspired-with-passion-i-think-i-get-inspired-by-people-who-are-2/) [Neil Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-jackson/) > [I used to help out my father, a bricklayer, in the summer. I'd catch the bricks (that were dropped). And it made me strong,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-rice/i-used-to-help-out-my-father-a-bricklayer-in-the-summer-i-d-catch-the/) [Jerry Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-rice/) [Browse all 26 Bricklayers quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bricklayers/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Writing is the hardest work in the world. I have been a bricklayer and a truck driver, and I tell you – as if you haven't been told a million times already – that writing is harder. Lonelier. 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