--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I knew the alphabet. Maybe I could be a…" description: "\"I knew the alphabet. Maybe I could be a writer.\" — Hubert Selby, Jr" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f84/hubert-selby-jr-12027_alphabet_i-knew-the-alphabet-maybe-i-could-be-a-w_2591912.png" --- # I knew the alphabet. Maybe I could be a writer. ![“I knew the alphabet. Maybe I could be a writer.” quote by Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f84/hubert-selby-jr-12027_alphabet_i-knew-the-alphabet-maybe-i-could-be-a-w_2591912.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f84/hubert-selby-jr-12027_alphabet_i-knew-the-alphabet-maybe-i-could-be-a-w_2591912.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f84/hubert-selby-jr-12027_alphabet_i-knew-the-alphabet-maybe-i-could-be-a-w_2591912.png) > “I knew the alphabet. Maybe I could be a writer.” [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Knowing the alphabet is a first step toward becoming a writer. **In simple terms:** Alphabet knowledge can lead to writing. Key Takeaway Start writing after learning basics. Themes education creativity growth Mood encouraging reflective Type personal motivational When to use this quote - school - writing workshops - personal journals Key Concepts literacy self‑expression Questions to Reflect On - What stops you from writing? - How did learning basics help you create? A Different Perspective May ignore other barriers to writing. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alphabet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alphabet/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I'm a Sit Down Stand Up Comedian, whatever the hell that is. Maybe a writer with a short attention span and one broken crayon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rock-cowles/i-m-a-sit-down-stand-up-comedian-whatever-the-hell-that-is-maybe-a/) [Rock Cowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rock-cowles/) > [I was really rudderless at one point my life. And once I started reading books, then I got the idea that maybe I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-pelecanos/i-was-really-rudderless-at-one-point-my-life-and-once-i-started/) [George Pelecanos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-pelecanos/) > [I was getting rewarded for writing well, from about the age of five or six. A teacher would say, "Look what Andrew has written,"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-davies/i-was-getting-rewarded-for-writing-well-from-about-the-age-of-five-or/) [Andrew Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-davies/) > [I was 12. Our ,teacher made us write an autobiography and I realised that I wasn't very interesting. I began to make things up,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-burnham-schwartz/i-was-12-our-teacher-made-us-write-an-autobiography-and-i-realised/) [John Burnham Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-burnham-schwartz/) > [“I still believe in you, as a writer, but the only stuff we ever had in common doesn't travel very far." "What stuff is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving-author/i-still-believe-in-you-as-a-writer-but-the-only-stuff-we-ever-had-in/) John Irving (Author > [“When my head is in the typewriter the last thing on my mind is some imaginary reader. I don’t have an audience; I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-delillo/when-my-head-is-in-the-typewriter-the-last-thing-on-my-mind-is-some/) [Don DeLillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-delillo/) > [When I see things in the world that leap out at me, I want to make use of them in fiction. Maybe every writer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-kushner/when-i-see-things-in-the-world-that-leap-out-at-me-i-want-to-make-use/) [Rachel Kushner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-kushner/) > [If I have any advantage, maybe, as a writer, it is that I don't think I'm very interesting. I mean, beginning a novel with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/if-i-have-any-advantage-maybe-as-a-writer-it-is-that-i-don-t-think-i/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [Why' is the only question that bothers people enough to have an entire letter of the alphabet named after it. The alphabet does not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-adams/why-is-the-only-question-that-bothers-people-enough-to-have-an-entire/) [Douglas Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-adams/) > [I cannot find it in me to fear a man who took ten years a learning of his alphabet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-i/i-cannot-find-it-in-me-to-fear-a-man-who-took-ten-years-a-learning-of/) [Elizabeth I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-i/) > [My alphabet starts with this letter called yuzz. It s the letter I use to spell yuzz a ma tuzz. You ll be sort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-seuss/my-alphabet-starts-with-this-letter-called-yuzz-it-s-the-letter-i-use/) [Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-seuss/) > [The WPA was one of the most productive elements of FDR's alphabet soup of agencies because it put people to work building roads, bridges,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/the-wpa-was-one-of-the-most-productive-elements-of-fdr-s-alphabet/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [I have thought that wild flowers might be the alphabet of angels, — whereby they write on hills and fields mysterious truths, which it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/i-have-thought-that-wild-flowers-might-be-the-alphabet-of-angels/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Flowers are the alphabet of angels, whereby they write on the hills and fields mysterious truths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/flowers-are-the-alphabet-of-angels-whereby-they-write-on-the-hills/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) ## More by Hubert Selby, Jr > [Sometimes we have the absolute certainty there's something inside us that's so hideous and monstrous that if we ever search it out we won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/sometimes-we-have-the-absolute-certainty-there-s-something-inside-us/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [But to believe that getting stuff is the purpose and aim of life is madness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/but-to-believe-that-getting-stuff-is-the-purpose-and-aim-of-life-is/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [I'm focusing on writing the best story I can write. Which means I'm doing everything I can to give the artist within me as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/i-m-focusing-on-writing-the-best-story-i-can-write-which-means-i-m/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [I certainly do attempt to live according to spiritual principles. That's always the foundation of each and every day. I have experienced some things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/i-certainly-do-attempt-to-live-according-to-spiritual-principles-that/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [Sometimes it seems to stand still. Like you’re in a bag and you can’t get out and somebody’s always telling you that it will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/sometimes-it-seems-to-stand-still-like-you-re-in-a-bag-and-you-can-t/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [There's a sorrow and pain in everyone's life, but every now and then there's a ray of light that melts the loneliness in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/there-s-a-sorrow-and-pain-in-everyone-s-life-but-every-now-and-then/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [The resistance and the degree of the resistance to the natural phenomenon of life causes tremendous suffering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/the-resistance-and-the-degree-of-the-resistance-to-the-natural/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [We all need a meaning to our life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/we-all-need-a-meaning-to-our-life/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [I've always felt alienated. I realized that I've been terrified my entire life. So I can identify that fear which drives so many of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/i-ve-always-felt-alienated-i-realized-that-i-ve-been-terrified-my/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [I have to have a meaning in my life. If I roam around without some meaning in my life, I'm in deep and serious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/i-have-to-have-a-meaning-in-my-life-if-i-roam-around-without-some/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [It seems to me that what the artist sees is the simple and obvious that is invisible to everybody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/it-seems-to-me-that-what-the-artist-sees-is-the-simple-and-obvious/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [I don't know how to make the critics happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/i-don-t-know-how-to-make-the-critics-happy/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [Obviously, I believe that to pursue the American Dream is not only futile but self-destructive because ultimately it destroys everything and everyone involved with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/obviously-i-believe-that-to-pursue-the-american-dream-is-not-only/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [My writing is inspired by just about everything, yet I am unaware of so much of the process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/my-writing-is-inspired-by-just-about-everything-yet-i-am-unaware-of/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [thats why you cant be worried about the world. theyll just do you in anyway. you can't depend on them because sooner or later…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/thats-why-you-cant-be-worried-about-the-world-theyll-just-do-you-in/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) [Explore all 56 Hubert Selby, Jr quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) ## More Alphabet quotes > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) > [Flowers are the alphabet of angels, whereby they write on the hills and fields mysterious truths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/flowers-are-the-alphabet-of-angels-whereby-they-write-on-the-hills/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [I have thought that wild flowers might be the alphabet of angels, — whereby they write on hills and fields mysterious truths, which it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/i-have-thought-that-wild-flowers-might-be-the-alphabet-of-angels/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [The WPA was one of the most productive elements of FDR's alphabet soup of agencies because it put people to work building roads, bridges,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/the-wpa-was-one-of-the-most-productive-elements-of-fdr-s-alphabet/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [My alphabet starts with this letter called yuzz. It s the letter I use to spell yuzz a ma tuzz. You ll be sort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-seuss/my-alphabet-starts-with-this-letter-called-yuzz-it-s-the-letter-i-use/) [Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-seuss/) > [I cannot find it in me to fear a man who took ten years a learning of his alphabet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-i/i-cannot-find-it-in-me-to-fear-a-man-who-took-ten-years-a-learning-of/) [Elizabeth I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-i/) > [Why' is the only question that bothers people enough to have an entire letter of the alphabet named after it. The alphabet does not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-adams/why-is-the-only-question-that-bothers-people-enough-to-have-an-entire/) [Douglas Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-adams/) > [I used to have a little saying I used when people said, 'What are your priorities?' I'd give them a bit of government alphabet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-hayden/i-used-to-have-a-little-saying-i-used-when-people-said-what-are-your/) [Michael Hayden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-hayden/) > [All I want is that Americans still be able to read the alphabet in a hundred years. I am not very ambitious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/all-i-want-is-that-americans-still-be-able-to-read-the-alphabet-in-a/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [The visual power of the phonetic alphabet is the translate other languages into itself is part of its power to invade right hemisphere (oral)…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-mcluhan/the-visual-power-of-the-phonetic-alphabet-is-the-translate-other/) [Marshall McLuhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-mcluhan/) > [Architecture is the alphabet of giants; it is the largest set of symbols ever made to meet the eyes of men. A tower stands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/architecture-is-the-alphabet-of-giants-it-is-the-largest-set-of/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [I've always thought of the T-shirt as the Alpha and Omega of the fashion alphabet, ... The White T.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giorgio-armani/i-ve-always-thought-of-the-t-shirt-as-the-alpha-and-omega-of-the/) [Giorgio Armani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giorgio-armani/) > [Alphabetical order had to be invented to help people organize the first dictionaries. On the other hand, we may have reached a point where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-gleick/alphabetical-order-had-to-be-invented-to-help-people-organize-the/) [James Gleick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-gleick/) > [One who has not only the four Ss, which are required in every good lover, but even the whole alphabet. as for example¦ Agreeable,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-cervantes/one-who-has-not-only-the-four-ss-which-are-required-in-every-good/) [Miguel De Cervantes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-cervantes/) > [New York doesn't exactly have neighborhoods, the way most cities do. What it has is closer to distinct and separate villages, some of them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-e-westlake/new-york-doesn-t-exactly-have-neighborhoods-the-way-most-cities-do/) [Donald E. Westlake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-e-westlake/) [Browse all 336 Alphabet quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alphabet/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I knew the alphabet. 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