--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have to write the story I want to…" description: "\"I have to write the story I want to write. I never wrote them with a focus group of 8-year-olds in mind. I have to continue telling the story the way I..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/745/j-k-rowling-2-683_focus_i-have-to-write-the-story-i-want-to-writ_2766953.jpg" --- # I have to write the story I want to write. I never wrote… ![“I have to write the story I want to write. I never wrote them with a focus group of 8-year-olds in mind. I have to continue telling the story the way I want to tell it.” quote by J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/745/j-k-rowling-2-683_focus_i-have-to-write-the-story-i-want-to-writ_2766953.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/745/j-k-rowling-2-683_focus_i-have-to-write-the-story-i-want-to-writ_2766953.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/745/j-k-rowling-2-683_focus_i-have-to-write-the-story-i-want-to-writ_2766953.jpg) > “I have to write the story I want to write. I never wrote them with a focus group of 8-year-olds in mind. I have to continue telling the story the way I want to tell it.” [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. She insists on writing stories true to her vision, not tailored to a focus group. **In simple terms:** She writes for herself, not a target audience. Key Takeaway Prioritize authentic creative expression. Themes authenticity creative freedom audience expectations Mood determined defiant Type creative personal When to use this quote - novel writing - screenwriting - personal blogs Key Concepts writing artistic integrity publishing Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance authenticity with marketability? - What defines your core audience? A Different Perspective Market pressures may affect financial success. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [We don't do focus groups - that is the job of the designer. 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Well, how do you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-shaffer/you-don-t-want-to-write-the-same-story-again-but-people-are-like-we/) [Andrew Shaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-shaffer/) > [I want to write a story for people where they finish it, and it sticks with them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-day/i-want-to-write-a-story-for-people-where-they-finish-it-and-it-sticks/) [Sylvia Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-day/) > [“I finally figured out that it doesn't matter what other people want to read. It matters what you want to write. You write the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jami-montgomery/i-finally-figured-out-that-it-doesn-t-matter-what-other-people-want/) Jami Montgomery > [I started to write. And I wrote and wrote all through high school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/i-started-to-write-and-i-wrote-and-wrote-all-through-high-school/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) > [Well, writing was what I wanted to do, it was always what I wanted to do. I had novels to write so I wrote…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavia-butler/well-writing-was-what-i-wanted-to-do-it-was-always-what-i-wanted-to/) [Octavia Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavia-butler/) > [I'm not reading what I write when I wrote. It's an unconscious outpouring that's a mess, and it's many, many steps away from anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/i-m-not-reading-what-i-write-when-i-wrote-it-s-an-unconscious/) [Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/) > [“I stretched out on the bed and slept. It was twilight when I awakened and turned on the light. I felt better, no longer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fante/i-stretched-out-on-the-bed-and-slept-it-was-twilight-when-i-awakened/) [John Fante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fante/) > [I write my first draft by hand, at least for fiction. For non-fiction, I write happily on a computer, but for fiction I write…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/i-write-my-first-draft-by-hand-at-least-for-fiction-for-non-fiction-i/) [Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/) > [I had novels to write, so I wrote them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavia-e-butler/i-had-novels-to-write-so-i-wrote-them/) [Octavia E. Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavia-e-butler/) > [No matter how long my day job hours were, I always made time to write. I wrote fiction, short stories, and poetry. I never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-joy/no-matter-how-long-my-day-job-hours-were-i-always-made-time-to-write/) [Lisa Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-joy/) > [“I began to write again. I wrote just for the fuck of it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-leebron/i-began-to-write-again-i-wrote-just-for-the-fuck-of-it/) Fred Leebron > ['A Fair Maiden' existed in notes and sketches for perhaps a year. When I traveled, I would take along with me my folder of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-carol-oates/a-fair-maiden-existed-in-notes-and-sketches-for-perhaps-a-year-when-i/) [Joyce Carol Oates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-carol-oates/) ## 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 Focus quotes > [If you take your eye off the ball or lose focus for even a minute you can lose a game against any team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felipe-anderson/if-you-take-your-eye-off-the-ball-or-lose-focus-for-even-a-minute-you/) [Felipe Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felipe-anderson/) > [Music is a job, but I figured out ways to get my mind into a place where I could be creative. I actually discovered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flume/music-is-a-job-but-i-figured-out-ways-to-get-my-mind-into-a-place/) [Flume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flume/) > [“If you're focused, you can't get bored.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alin-sav/if-you-re-focused-you-can-t-get-bored/) [Alin Sav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alin-sav/) > [There are more important things to focus on in life than how you look.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arden-cho/there-are-more-important-things-to-focus-on-in-life-than-how-you-look/) [Arden Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arden-cho/) > [Focus on becoming more to achieve more while doing less](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/focus-on-becoming-more-to-achieve-more-while-doing-less/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [I don't think about the press or the crowds or the other leaders of the race. The focus is only on myself. As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/) [Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [“This is Galileo,” said Aristotle. “He advocates understanding the world through observation and experiment. He is an unimaginative thinker, but his results demand our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liu-cixin/this-is-galileo-said-aristotle-he-advocates-understanding-the-world/) [Liu Cixin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-cixin/) > [Too many times we flitter our energy into too many goals and in the process don't achieve much. Focus is very important in life.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaishali-kasture/too-many-times-we-flitter-our-energy-into-too-many-goals-and-in-the/) [Vaishali Kasture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaishali-kasture/) > [If you ask another competitor, they may tell you they felt very competitive towards me. But I can tell you that my biggest competition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-kwan/if-you-ask-another-competitor-they-may-tell-you-they-felt-very/) [Michelle Kwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-kwan/) > [When you approach something to photograph it, first be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence. Then don't leave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/when-you-approach-something-to-photograph-it-first-be-still-with/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [Enlightened people live in very charged states of attention, with a tremendous power circuiting through them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/enlightened-people-live-in-very-charged-states-of-attention-with-a/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [All I'm focused on is playing my game. Everything else will take care of itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grigor-dimitrov/all-i-m-focused-on-is-playing-my-game-everything-else-will-take-care/) [Grigor Dimitrov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grigor-dimitrov/) > [Focus on being productive instead of busy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-ferriss/focus-on-being-productive-instead-of-busy/) [Tim Ferriss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-ferriss/) [Browse all 11,734 Focus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I have to write the story I want to write. I never wrote them with a focus group of 8-year-olds in mind. I have to continue telling the story the way I want to tell it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "J. K. 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