--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Every writer must have a chip of ice in…" description: "\"Every writer must have a chip of ice in his heart.\" — J. K. Rowling" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/784/j-k-rowling-2-683_chips_every-writer-must-have-a-chip-of-ice-in_932661.jpg" --- # Every writer must have a chip of ice in his heart. ![“Every writer must have a chip of ice in his heart.” quote by J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/784/j-k-rowling-2-683_chips_every-writer-must-have-a-chip-of-ice-in_932661.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/784/j-k-rowling-2-683_chips_every-writer-must-have-a-chip-of-ice-in_932661.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/784/j-k-rowling-2-683_chips_every-writer-must-have-a-chip-of-ice-in_932661.jpg) > “Every writer must have a chip of ice in his heart.” [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Suggests writers need emotional detachment—coldness—to maintain objectivity and craft compelling narratives. **In simple terms:** Writers need a cold heart. Key Takeaway Balance empathy with critical distance. Themes creative discipline emotional control craftsmanship Mood practical instructive Type creative motivational When to use this quote - novel writing - editing - character development Key Concepts psychology of creativity narrative theory Questions to Reflect On - How do you keep emotional honesty while staying objective? - What are the risks of excessive detachment? A Different Perspective May stifle emotional depth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Ice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ice/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“Writers, it is said, all carry a chip of ice in their hearts”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pam-houston/writers-it-is-said-all-carry-a-chip-of-ice-in-their-hearts/) [Pam Houston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pam-houston/) > [Graham Greene famously said that all writers need a chip of ice in their heart; Cusk can come across as the most beautiful ice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-burchill/graham-greene-famously-said-that-all-writers-need-a-chip-of-ice-in/) [Julie Burchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-burchill/) > [You're a chip shot away from everything you've ever wanted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-g-allen/you-re-a-chip-shot-away-from-everything-you-ve-ever-wanted/) [Robert G. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-g-allen/) > [Disabled veterans are not a bargaining chip.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-bridenstine/disabled-veterans-are-not-a-bargaining-chip/) [Jim Bridenstine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-bridenstine/) > [The chip that functions abnormally will be desoldered, as they say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-stross/the-chip-that-functions-abnormally-will-be-desoldered-as-they-say/) [Charles Stross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-stross/) > [I've always had that chip on my shoulder. I've just always been super hard on myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mindy-kaling/i-ve-always-had-that-chip-on-my-shoulder-i-ve-just-always-been-super/) [Mindy Kaling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mindy-kaling/) > [I had a chip on my shoulders 'cause I felt like I was being overlooked.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pj-harvey/i-had-a-chip-on-my-shoulders-cause-i-felt-like-i-was-being-overlooked/) [PJ Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pj-harvey/) > [As a person, when I was seven or eight, my dad would try very hard to tutor me through school because I had learning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dichen-lachman/as-a-person-when-i-was-seven-or-eight-my-dad-would-try-very-hard-to/) [Dichen Lachman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dichen-lachman/) > [Your worst putt will usually be as good as your best chip.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-palmer/your-worst-putt-will-usually-be-as-good-as-your-best-chip/) [Arnold Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-palmer/) > [I really had a chip on my shoulder, ... and it still comes out every now and then.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lennon/i-really-had-a-chip-on-my-shoulder-and-it-still-comes-out-every-now/) [John Lennon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lennon/) > [If you put it on the table as a bargaining chip, it becomes a bargaining chip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/if-you-put-it-on-the-table-as-a-bargaining-chip-it-becomes-a/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [He always had a chip on his shoulder that he was ready to use to kindle an argument.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-allen/he-always-had-a-chip-on-his-shoulder-that-he-was-ready-to-use-to/) [Fred Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-allen/) > [Everything's not black and white. We choose to make bad decisions or not. I wanted to explore that and shine a light on it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-arnett/everything-s-not-black-and-white-we-choose-to-make-bad-decisions-or/) [Will Arnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-arnett/) > [We came in today with a chip on our shoulder to prove who we are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-laimbeer/we-came-in-today-with-a-chip-on-our-shoulder-to-prove-who-we-are/) [Bill Laimbeer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-laimbeer/) > [If you're wanting something salty, do air-popped popcorn. That, to me, would be a healthier choice than having any kind of fried chip.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-harper/if-you-re-wanting-something-salty-do-air-popped-popcorn-that-to-me/) [Bob Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-harper/) ## More by J. K. Rowling > [I don't think about who the audience is for my books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-don-t-think-about-who-the-audience-is-for-my-books/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [... there are far, far worse things in the living world than dying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/there-are-far-far-worse-things-in-the-living-world-than-dying/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [Be ruthless about protecting writing days.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/be-ruthless-about-protecting-writing-days/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [“I'll join you when Hell freezes over," said Neville. "Dumbledore's Army!" he shouted, and there was an answering cheer from the crowd, whom Voldemort's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-ll-join-you-when-hell-freezes-over-said-neville-dumbledore-s-army/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [I just hate meetings. Though it's true that once you've made a lot of money, people around you might be full of ideas about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-just-hate-meetings-though-it-s-true-that-once-you-ve-made-a-lot-of/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [What's the worst that could happen? Everyone turned me down; big deal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/what-s-the-worst-that-could-happen-everyone-turned-me-down-big-deal/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [Talent and intelligence never yet inoculated anyone against the caprice of the fates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/talent-and-intelligence-never-yet-inoculated-anyone-against-the/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [I don't think there's any harm at all in allowing a kid to fantasize. In fact, I think to stop people from fantasizing is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-don-t-think-there-s-any-harm-at-all-in-allowing-a-kid-to-fantasize/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [I don't think I am evangelical in my work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-don-t-think-i-am-evangelical-in-my-work/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [The mind is not a book, to be opened at will and examined at leisure. Thoughts are not etched on the inside of skulls,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/the-mind-is-not-a-book-to-be-opened-at-will-and-examined-at-leisure/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [You'll stay with me?' Until the very end,' said James.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/you-ll-stay-with-me-until-the-very-end-said-james/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [I'm not anti-middle-class in the slightest. Look at me! I am very pro people putting time and money and effort into trying to improve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-m-not-anti-middle-class-in-the-slightest-look-at-me-i-am-very-pro/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [I'd always said never say never, because I knew that Warner Brothers wanted to do something with "Fantastic Beasts," and I did have kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-d-always-said-never-say-never-because-i-knew-that-warner-brothers/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [I'm not putting them on,” said old Archie in indignation. “I like a healthy breeze 'round my privates, thanks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-m-not-putting-them-on-said-old-archie-in-indignation-i-like-a/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [As he followed Bill back to the others a wry though came to him, born no doubt of the wine he had drunk. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/as-he-followed-bill-back-to-the-others-a-wry-though-came-to-him-born/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) [Explore all 402 J. K. Rowling quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) ## More Chip quotes > [People do the eye test and underestimate me, so I do play with a chip on my shoulder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-mccaffrey/people-do-the-eye-test-and-underestimate-me-so-i-do-play-with-a-chip/) [Christian McCaffrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-mccaffrey/) > [I've just got this huge chip on my shoulder because I've been out for three years and people think I'm dead and buried.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-hargreaves/i-ve-just-got-this-huge-chip-on-my-shoulder-because-i-ve-been-out-for/) [Owen Hargreaves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-hargreaves/) > [In 2011, I had a big chip on my shoulder, and I felt like I had a lot to prove every time I went…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyson-kidd/in-2011-i-had-a-big-chip-on-my-shoulder-and-i-felt-like-i-had-a-lot/) [Tyson Kidd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyson-kidd/) > [I think I have a little bit of a chip on my shoulder, but I think that's good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-cage/i-think-i-have-a-little-bit-of-a-chip-on-my-shoulder-but-i-think-that/) [Christian Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-cage/) > [Chip maker Nvidia is the new old thing, an overnight success story years in the making that is having its moment and then some.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-lashinsky/chip-maker-nvidia-is-the-new-old-thing-an-overnight-success-story/) [Adam Lashinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-lashinsky/) > [Me and a buddy of mine would make up this saying, 'Just land it on the green and keep it on the green.' We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-hovland/me-and-a-buddy-of-mine-would-make-up-this-saying-just-land-it-on-the/) [Viktor Hovland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-hovland/) > [If you're wanting something salty, do air-popped popcorn. That, to me, would be a healthier choice than having any kind of fried chip.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-harper/if-you-re-wanting-something-salty-do-air-popped-popcorn-that-to-me/) [Bob Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-harper/) > [The only thing that big chip on your shoulder needs is some good dip.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-thing-that-big-chip-on-your-shoulder-needs-is-some-good-dip/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I have the brain of a malfunctioning supercomputer!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/i-have-the-brain-of-a-malfunctioning-supercomputer/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [Chip Kelly, he is a great guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desean-jackson/chip-kelly-he-is-a-great-guy/) [DeSean Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desean-jackson/) > [The chip comes from people saying I'm not good enough, or I can't score, or I'm not a real basketball player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-cauley-stein/the-chip-comes-from-people-saying-i-m-not-good-enough-or-i-can-t/) [Willie Cauley-Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-cauley-stein/) > [PRINGLES: The only chip company in the world that doesn't sell air.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/pringles-the-only-chip-company-in-the-world-that-doesn-t-sell-air/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The Vanishing Chip”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-vanishing-chip/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We came in today with a chip on our shoulder to prove who we are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-laimbeer/we-came-in-today-with-a-chip-on-our-shoulder-to-prove-who-we-are/) [Bill Laimbeer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-laimbeer/) > [When I fought Hall, people thought it was a fluke. I left that fight with a chip on my shoulder and said, well, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelvin-gastelum/when-i-fought-hall-people-thought-it-was-a-fluke-i-left-that-fight/) [Kelvin Gastelum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelvin-gastelum/) Browse all 162 Chip quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Every writer must have a chip of ice in his heart.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "J. K. 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