--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: From the beginning, when I first got an…" description: "\"From the beginning, when I first got an idea for a story and wondered if I could write it, it has always been the story that has driven me.\" — Jean M. ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29a/jean-m-auel-9407_driven_from-the-beginning-when-i-first-got-an-i_1199901.png" --- # From the beginning, when I first got an idea for a story… ![“From the beginning, when I first got an idea for a story and wondered if I could write it, it has always been the story that has driven me.” quote by Jean M. Auel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29a/jean-m-auel-9407_driven_from-the-beginning-when-i-first-got-an-i_1199901.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29a/jean-m-auel-9407_driven_from-the-beginning-when-i-first-got-an-i_1199901.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29a/jean-m-auel-9407_driven_from-the-beginning-when-i-first-got-an-i_1199901.png) > “From the beginning, when I first got an idea for a story and wondered if I could write it, it has always been the story that has driven me.” [Jean M. Auel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-m-auel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Creative drive is the core force that initiates and sustains a writer’s work. **In simple terms:** Storytelling fuels writing. Key Takeaway Cultivate curiosity and let ideas guide you. Themes creativity motivation writing storytelling discipline Mood inspirational practical Type literary motivational When to use this quote - author brainstorming - writing workshops - daily writing practice Key Concepts Narrative theory psychology of creativity authorial intent Questions to Reflect On - What story idea excites you most? - How can you balance idea generation with skill refinement? A Different Perspective Focusing solely on story may neglect craft development. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Driven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/driven/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/story/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [From the beginning, the series has been story driven - I began with a story idea - but research feeds it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-m-auel/from-the-beginning-the-series-has-been-story-driven-i-began-with-a/) [Jean M. Auel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-m-auel/) > [“Especially the first one I thought it explained their relationship. At several points at the beginning of the story I wondered how Fitch was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-fitch/especially-the-first-one-i-thought-it-explained-their-relationship-at/) [Janet Fitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-fitch/) > [I had an idea for a story about a young woman who was living with people who were different, not just superficially different -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-m-auel/i-had-an-idea-for-a-story-about-a-young-woman-who-was-living-with/) [Jean M. Auel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-m-auel/) > [I'm probably more character-driven than plot-driven. It's rare for me to attach myself to an idea for a story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-soderbergh/i-m-probably-more-character-driven-than-plot-driven-it-s-rare-for-me/) [Steven Soderbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-soderbergh/) > [ The editor, Stephen Segal, actually called me with the idea of creating an accordion book \[ "The Thorn & The Blossom"\], and asked if… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodora-goss/the-editor-stephen-segal-actually-called-me-with-the-idea-of-creating/) [Theodora Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodora-goss/) > [“One cannot judge in advance whether or not the idea of the story is worthwhile because until one has finished writing the story one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gardner/one-cannot-judge-in-advance-whether-or-not-the-idea-of-the-story-is/) [John Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gardner/) > [Once I have the idea for a story. I start collecting all kinds of helpful information and storing it in three-ring notebooks. For example,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phyllis-reynolds-naylor/once-i-have-the-idea-for-a-story-i-start-collecting-all-kinds-of/) [Phyllis Reynolds Naylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phyllis-reynolds-naylor/) > [The ideas always have to be in service of the story. And that's what Scott and the writers did - they weren't trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-frank/the-ideas-always-have-to-be-in-service-of-the-story-and-that-s-what/) [Adam Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-frank/) > [When you make movies, you have to be preoccupied with the social problems, otherwise there is no point in making a movie. To have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-dumont/when-you-make-movies-you-have-to-be-preoccupied-with-the-social/) [Bruno Dumont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-dumont/) > [At the breakfast table we are footnoting everything that we read. We don't recognise it as such but we encounter an article in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/at-the-breakfast-table-we-are-footnoting-everything-that-we-read-we/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) > [Before I start writing, before I have an idea of where and when the story happens, I research it thoroughly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabel-allende/before-i-start-writing-before-i-have-an-idea-of-where-and-when-the/) [Isabel Allende](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabel-allende/) > [Once I'm given an idea for a story I have a million ideas on how it should be illustrated, but I don't have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-selznick/once-i-m-given-an-idea-for-a-story-i-have-a-million-ideas-on-how-it/) [Brian Selznick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-selznick/) > [What I ended up doing was kind of crafting an idea for a story, presenting it to a writer - a dear friend of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiefer-sutherland/what-i-ended-up-doing-was-kind-of-crafting-an-idea-for-a-story/) [Kiefer Sutherland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiefer-sutherland/) > [When you have an idea for a story, you want those characters to reach as many people as you can. I think you normally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-morgan/when-you-have-an-idea-for-a-story-you-want-those-characters-to-reach/) [Robert Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-morgan/) > [I love story-writing because I can (more or less, on occasion) actually DO it. That's really the truth. I like the idea that a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/i-love-story-writing-because-i-can-more-or-less-on-occasion-actually/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) ## More by Jean M. Auel > [I probably read 100 times more than I write, but that way when I move my characters through it, I know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-m-auel/i-probably-read-100-times-more-than-i-write-but-that-way-when-i-move/) [Jean M. Auel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-m-auel/) > [“Ayla, what am I doing wrong?" he asked, standing in front of her, dripping. "It's not you. I'm the one who's doingit wrong." "You're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-m-auel/ayla-what-am-i-doing-wrong-he-asked-standing-in-front-of-her-dripping/) [Jean M. Auel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-m-auel/) > [Of the two, I would think of my work as closer to Science Fiction than Fantasy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-m-auel/of-the-two-i-would-think-of-my-work-as-closer-to-science-fiction-than/) [Jean M. Auel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-m-auel/) > [“A person could resist popular belief and stand up for personal principles, and though there may be consequences, not everything would necessarily be lost.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-m-auel/a-person-could-resist-popular-belief-and-stand-up-for-personal/) [Jean M. Auel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-m-auel/) > [“Children are always a joy, but pain, too. And they all must lead their own lives. Even Mut will let Her children go their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-m-auel/children-are-always-a-joy-but-pain-too-and-they-all-must-lead-their/) [Jean M. Auel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-m-auel/) > [I can move my characters through it easily, because I understand the background; I've really studied it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-m-auel/i-can-move-my-characters-through-it-easily-because-i-understand-the/) [Jean M. Auel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-m-auel/) > [Though my books are written from a historical perspective, I have goon so far back that I am in the realm of prehistorical speculation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-m-auel/though-my-books-are-written-from-a-historical-perspective-i-have-goon/) [Jean M. Auel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-m-auel/) > [I think of my books as mainstream and that's were most people who read them look for them in book stores.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-m-auel/i-think-of-my-books-as-mainstream-and-that-s-were-most-people-who/) [Jean M. Auel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-m-auel/) > [She lifted the drooping muzzle with both hands...It was a special embrace saved for special occasions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-m-auel/she-lifted-the-drooping-muzzle-with-both-hands-it-was-a-special/) [Jean M. Auel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-m-auel/) > [“In a world so empty of human life, there was comfort in the thought that an invisible realm of spirits was aware of their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-m-auel/in-a-world-so-empty-of-human-life-there-was-comfort-in-the-thought/) [Jean M. Auel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-m-auel/) > [Again Creb grunted. It was the usual noncommittal comment used by men when responding to a woman. It carried only enough meaning to indicate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-m-auel/again-creb-grunted-it-was-the-usual-noncommittal-comment-used-by-men/) [Jean M. Auel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-m-auel/) > [“No podía obligarle a quedarse; sólo podía ayudarle a marcharse.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-m-auel/no-pod-a-obligarle-a-quedarse-s-lo-pod-a-ayudarle-a-marcharse/) [Jean M. Auel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-m-auel/) > [“Ayla loved these moments of solitude. Basking in the sun, feeling relaxed and content, she thought about nothing in particular, except the beautiful day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-m-auel/ayla-loved-these-moments-of-solitude-basking-in-the-sun-feeling/) [Jean M. Auel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-m-auel/) > [I had an idea for a story about a young woman who was living with people who were different, not just superficially different -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-m-auel/i-had-an-idea-for-a-story-about-a-young-woman-who-was-living-with/) [Jean M. Auel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-m-auel/) > [I don't write for publishers, certainly not for critics, and not for readers, But I am delighted that so many people have found my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-m-auel/i-don-t-write-for-publishers-certainly-not-for-critics-and-not-for/) [Jean M. Auel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-m-auel/) [Explore all 61 Jean M. Auel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-m-auel/) ## More Driven quotes > [From what I have seen, I am driven to the conclusion that religion is only good for good people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-mccarthy/from-what-i-have-seen-i-am-driven-to-the-conclusion-that-religion-is/) [Mary McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-mccarthy/) > [We do not want to be reminded that it is we, the indigenous people, who are poor and exploited in the land of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/we-do-not-want-to-be-reminded-that-it-is-we-the-indigenous-people-who/) [Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) > [When you heed the calling of your heart, you are following your purpose. Having purpose in your life gives you the courage to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-britten/when-you-heed-the-calling-of-your-heart-you-are-following-your/) [Rhonda Britten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-britten/) > [The concept of humanity is an especially useful ideological instrument of imperialist expansion, and in its ethical-humanitarian form it is a specific vehicle of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-schmitt/the-concept-of-humanity-is-an-especially-useful-ideological/) [Carl Schmitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-schmitt/) > [The bird with the thorn in its breast, it follows an immutable law; it is driven by it knows not what to impale itself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-mccullough/the-bird-with-the-thorn-in-its-breast-it-follows-an-immutable-law-it/) [Colleen McCullough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-mccullough/) > [ \[As in the case of\] alcohol prohibition, illegality has driven organized crime, sent countless people to jail, and killed many thousands. Repression does not… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-branson/as-in-the-case-of-alcohol-prohibition-illegality-has-driven-organized/) [Sam Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-branson/) > [Good ideas and innovations must be driven into existence by courage and patience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hyman-rickover/good-ideas-and-innovations-must-be-driven-into-existence-by-courage/) [Hyman Rickover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hyman-rickover/) > [The World's a Printing-House, our words, our thoughts, Our deeds, are characters of several sizes. Each soul is a Compos'tor, of whose faults The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/the-world-s-a-printing-house-our-words-our-thoughts-our-deeds-are/) [Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/) > [I've always liked game shows - the competitive aspect and the character-driven personalities you see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/apolo-ohno/i-ve-always-liked-game-shows-the-competitive-aspect-and-the-character/) [Apolo Ohno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/apolo-ohno/) > [I've always believed that the desire must come from within, not as a result of being driven by coaches or parents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dawn-fraser/i-ve-always-believed-that-the-desire-must-come-from-within-not-as-a/) [Dawn Fraser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dawn-fraser/) > [When the enemy is driven back, we have failed, and when he is cut off, encircled and dispersed, we have succeeded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-suvorov/when-the-enemy-is-driven-back-we-have-failed-and-when-he-is-cut-off/) [Alexander Suvorov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-suvorov/) > [Darkness is only driven out with light, not more darkness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/darkness-is-only-driven-out-with-light-not-more-darkness/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [Autonomy is impossible as long as one is driven by anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabor-mat/autonomy-is-impossible-as-long-as-one-is-driven-by-anything/) [Gabor Mate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabor-mat/) > [Yelena, you've driven me crazy. You've caused me considerable trouble and I've contemplated ending your life twice since I've known you." Valek's warm breath…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/yelena-you-ve-driven-me-crazy-you-ve-caused-me-considerable-trouble/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [The P2 is the best car I have driven so far. Once you get your head round it, it's fun to drive, it's responsive,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hoy/the-p2-is-the-best-car-i-have-driven-so-far-once-you-get-your-head/) [Chris Hoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hoy/) [Browse all 2,078 Driven quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/driven/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "From the beginning, when I first got an idea for a story and wondered if I could write it, it has always been the story that has driven me.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jean M. 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