--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I dabbled in writing, wrote really bad…" description: "\"I dabbled in writing, wrote really bad poetry in high school. I also took a few writing classes when I was an undergrad at Stanford. I was so intimidat..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/606/jesmyn-ward-1426_bad_i-dabbled-in-writing-wrote-really-bad-po_1562316.jpg" --- # I dabbled in writing, wrote really bad poetry in high… ![“I dabbled in writing, wrote really bad poetry in high school. I also took a few writing classes when I was an undergrad at Stanford. I was so intimidated.” quote by Jesmyn Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/606/jesmyn-ward-1426_bad_i-dabbled-in-writing-wrote-really-bad-po_1562316.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/606/jesmyn-ward-1426_bad_i-dabbled-in-writing-wrote-really-bad-po_1562316.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/606/jesmyn-ward-1426_bad_i-dabbled-in-writing-wrote-really-bad-po_1562316.jpg) > “I dabbled in writing, wrote really bad poetry in high school. I also took a few writing classes when I was an undergrad at Stanford. I was so intimidated.” [Jesmyn Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesmyn-ward/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Early writing attempts can feel clumsy, but they reveal a willingness to try despite fear of judgment. **In simple terms:** Bad poetry shows courage to create. Key Takeaway Embrace imperfect practice. Themes growth creativity selfdoubt Mood reflective hopeful Type inspirational personal When to use this quote - writing workshops - college classes - personal journals - creative exercises Key Concepts vulnerability learning curve Questions to Reflect On - How can you reframe early failures as learning? - What small step can you take to write today? A Different Perspective Perfectionism can stall progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [High school](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-school/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Francie was ten years old when she first found an outlet in writing. What she wrote was of little consequence. 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While I was writing it, I just never went out anywhere, except to the gym.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-wolfe/back-to-blood-really-took-it-out-of-me-while-i-was-writing-it-i-just/) [Tom Wolfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-wolfe/) ## More by Jesmyn Ward > [I wanted to write about voodoo tradition that I feel has been very important to survival of black people here: people of the African…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesmyn-ward/i-wanted-to-write-about-voodoo-tradition-that-i-feel-has-been-very/) [Jesmyn Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesmyn-ward/) > [I think that voodoo as a spiritual tradition has been demonized for so long in popular culture. 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