--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm often asked how I write books, but I…" description: "\"I'm often asked how I write books, but I don't think my approach is suitable for everyone. If I walked into a creative writing class, all I could say t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3e/ian-rankin-7748_advice_i-m-often-asked-how-i-write-books-but-i_2080816.jpg" --- # I'm often asked how I write books, but I don't think my… ![“I'm often asked how I write books, but I don't think my approach is suitable for everyone. If I walked into a creative writing class, all I could say to them was 'I tend to make it up as I go along.' I'm not sure that's brilliant advice.” quote by Ian Rankin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3e/ian-rankin-7748_advice_i-m-often-asked-how-i-write-books-but-i_2080816.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3e/ian-rankin-7748_advice_i-m-often-asked-how-i-write-books-but-i_2080816.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3e/ian-rankin-7748_advice_i-m-often-asked-how-i-write-books-but-i_2080816.jpg) > “I'm often asked how I write books, but I don't think my approach is suitable for everyone. If I walked into a creative writing class, all I could say to them was 'I tend to make it up as I go along.' I'm not sure that's brilliant advice.” [Ian Rankin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-rankin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The author admits his spontaneous writing method may not suit everyone, suggesting that creative processes are personal and not universally applicable. **In simple terms:** His writing style is improvised and may not be a good model for others. Key Takeaway Find a writing process that feels authentic to you. Themes creativity process individuality advice authenticity Mood introspective curious Type practical philosophical When to use this quote - writing workshops - self‑directed projects - collaborative writing Key Concepts improvisation creative methodology learning styles Questions to Reflect On - Can you identify moments when improvisation helped or hindered you? - What structure could support your creativity? A Different Perspective Spontaneity can lead to inconsistency or lack of structure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advice/) [Approach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/approach/) [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Brilliant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brilliant/) [Class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/class/) [Creative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creative/) [Creative writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creative-writing/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [When I went to college I took a creative writing class and decided in a week to be a writer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-guterson/when-i-went-to-college-i-took-a-creative-writing-class-and-decided-in/) [David Guterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-guterson/) > [I never attended a creative writing class in my life. 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I also won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynda-barry/in-my-writing-class-we-never-ever-talk-about-the-writing-ever-we/) [Lynda Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynda-barry/) > [I never took a writing class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-pelecanos/i-never-took-a-writing-class/) [George Pelecanos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-pelecanos/) ## More by Ian Rankin > [You need a great idea, but then you've got to carry it through. 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