--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It has always seemed to me that if you…" description: "\"It has always seemed to me that if you could talk about your work in fully-formed phrases, you wouldn't write it. The writing is the statement, you see..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c62/hortense-calisher-21501_casts_it-has-always-seemed-to-me-that-if-you-c_1634807.png" --- # It has always seemed to me that if you could talk about… ![“It has always seemed to me that if you could talk about your work in fully-formed phrases, you wouldn't write it. The writing is the statement, you see, and it seems to me that the poem or the story or the novel you write is the kind of metaphor you cast on life.” quote by Hortense Calisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c62/hortense-calisher-21501_casts_it-has-always-seemed-to-me-that-if-you-c_1634807.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c62/hortense-calisher-21501_casts_it-has-always-seemed-to-me-that-if-you-c_1634807.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c62/hortense-calisher-21501_casts_it-has-always-seemed-to-me-that-if-you-c_1634807.png) > “It has always seemed to me that if you could talk about your work in fully-formed phrases, you wouldn't write it. The writing is the statement, you see, and it seems to me that the poem or the story or the novel you write is the kind of metaphor you cast on life.” [Hortense Calisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hortense-calisher/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writing must emerge organically; forcing language stifles authenticity and metaphorical depth **In simple terms:** Natural expression creates genuine art Key Takeaway Write authentically, let form arise naturally Themes creativity authenticity process Mood contemplative inspired Type philosophical creative When to use this quote - Literary creation - author’s process - creative expression Key Concepts Organic writing metaphor creation Questions to Reflect On - How can you trust the writing process? - What practices help you avoid forced language? A Different Perspective Over‑planning can hinder spontaneity ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Casts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/casts/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kind/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Metaphor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/metaphor/) [Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel/) [Novel Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel-write-428128/) [Phrases](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phrases/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [Seems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seems/) [Statements](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/statements/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Write Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/write-writing/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Writing Statement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-statement-516882/) ## Related quotes > [“The three rules to writing a novel; 1) Write 2) Write more 3) Keep writing”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scifurz/the-three-rules-to-writing-a-novel-1-write-2-write-more-3-keep-writing/) [SciFurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scifurz/) > [I feel that whatever virtues the novel may have are very much connected with the limitations you mention. 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We're in charge of the basic facts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hortense-calisher/women-can-t-travel-light-we-re-in-charge-of-the-basic-facts/) [Hortense Calisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hortense-calisher/) > [Decades go faster toward the end of a century.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hortense-calisher/decades-go-faster-toward-the-end-of-a-century/) [Hortense Calisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hortense-calisher/) > ['Ms.' is a syllable which sounds like a bumble bee is breaking wind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hortense-calisher/ms-is-a-syllable-which-sounds-like-a-bumble-bee-is-breaking-wind/) [Hortense Calisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hortense-calisher/) > [Diplomacy is what is practiced after-the-fact. Never be too right too soon -- as any smart Uncle will tell you. 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We all just focused…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-jacobson/i-was-focused-on-the-hunger-games-movie-with-my-director-with-the/) [Nina Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-jacobson/) > [All my life I've been involved with racial politics. I was a Freedom Rider in the South. 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