American writer Quote by Hunter S. Thompson
““Well … yes, and here we go again. But before we get to The Work, as it were, I want to make sure I know how to cope with this elegant typewriter—(and, yes, it appears that I do) —so why not make this quick list of my life’s work and then get the hell out of town on the 11:05 to Denver? Indeed. Why not? But for just a moment I’d like to say, for the permanent record, that it is a very strange feeling to be a 40-year-old American writer in this century and sitting alone in this huge building on Fifth Avenue in New York at one o’clock in the morning on the night before Christmas Eve, 2000 miles from home, and compiling a table of contents for a book of my own Collected Works in an office with a tall glass door that leads out to a big terrace looking down on The Plaza Fountain. Very strange.””
About This Quote
He reflects on his odd, solitary situation as a writer on the eve of Christmas, feeling both strange and compelled to document his life’s work before leaving.
In simple terms: He feels strange being a writer alone on Christmas Eve, compiling his works.
Key Takeaway
Embrace the oddity and use it as creative fuel.
Themes
solitude
creativity
existential reflection
Mood
melancholic
contemplative
Type
personal essay
literary
When to use this quote
- writing retreats
- late‑night brainstorming
- travel planning
- holiday introspection
Key Concepts
modern literature
self‑documentation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does solitude affect his creativity?
- What does he hope to achieve with his collected works?
A Different Perspective
The pressure of deadlines may hinder authentic expression.
![“The show doesn’t go on because it’s ready; it goes on because it’s 11:30. This is something Lorne [Michaels] has said often about Saturday Night Live, but I think it’s a great lesson about not being too precious about your writing. You have to try your hardest to be at the top of your game and…” quote by Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ab3/tina-fey-484_perfectionism_the-show-doesn-t-go-on-because-it-s-read_553963.jpg)
