Book Quote by Henry Miller
““I suppose it was the worst book any man has ever written. It was a colossal tome and faulty from start to finish. But it was my first book and I was in love with it. If I had had the money, as Gide had, I would have published it at my own expense. If I had had the courage that Whitman had, I would have peddled it from door to door. Everybody I showed it to said it was terrible. I was urged to give up the idea of writing. I had to learn, as Balzac did, that one must write volumes before signing one's own name. I had to learn, as I soon did, that one must give up everything and not do anything else but write, that one must write and write and write, even if everybody in the world advises you against it, even if nobody believes in you. Perhaps one does it just because nobody believes; perhaps the real secret lies in making people believe. That the book was inadequate, faulty, bad, terrible, as they said, was only natural.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Art of Writing, Henry Miller, 1960s
Creative perseverance demands relentless effort despite criticism and self‑doubt.
In simple terms: Write relentlessly, ignore naysayers.
Key Takeaway
Commit to daily writing.
Themes
creativity
perseverance
self‑belief
Mood
determined
reflective
Type
literary
motivational
When to use this quote
- novel drafting
- self‑publishing
- workshop feedback
- personal journal
Key Concepts
authorial identity
craft mastery
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives you to write?
- How do you handle negative feedback?
A Different Perspective
Financial pressure may limit resources.
