--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I had been writing for the 'Late Show'…" description: "\"I had been writing for the 'Late Show' for about four years when I started writing short stories. I had a blast writing the stories because I was writi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ee/jill-davis-31358_about_i-had-been-writing-for-the-late-show-for_2416960.jpg" --- # I had been writing for the 'Late Show' for about four… ![“I had been writing for the 'Late Show' for about four years when I started writing short stories. I had a blast writing the stories because I was writing in a voice more my own, as opposed to a man's. HBO ended up buying four of them. I think that had a direct impact on my decision to write a book.” quote by Jill Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ee/jill-davis-31358_about_i-had-been-writing-for-the-late-show-for_2416960.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ee/jill-davis-31358_about_i-had-been-writing-for-the-late-show-for_2416960.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ee/jill-davis-31358_about_i-had-been-writing-for-the-late-show-for_2416960.jpg) > “I had been writing for the 'Late Show' for about four years when I started writing short stories. I had a blast writing the stories because I was writing in a voice more my own, as opposed to a man's. HBO ended up buying four of them. I think that had a direct impact on my decision to write a book.” [Jill Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-davis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She discovered her authentic voice by shifting from scripted TV writing to personal short stories, leading to publishing success. **In simple terms:** Finding personal voice boosted her career. Key Takeaway Embrace personal storytelling. Themes creativity authenticity career Mood enthusiastic reflective Type motivational career‑growth When to use this quote - writing personal essays - pitching stories to networks - author branding Key Concepts self‑expression voice development industry impact Questions to Reflect On - How can you identify your unique voice? - What risks arise when diverging from established formats? A Different Perspective Balancing commercial demands with personal voice can be tough. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [About](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/about/) [Because](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/because/) [Been](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/been/) [Blast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blast/) [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Buying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buying/) [Decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) [Direct](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/direct/) [Ended](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ended/) [Four](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/four/) [Had](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/had/) [Hbo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hbo/) [I think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-think/) [Impact](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impact/) [Late](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/late/) [Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man/) [More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/more/) [My own](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-own/) [Opposed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opposed/) [Own](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/own/) [Short](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/short/) [Short stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/short-stories/) [Show](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/show/) [Started](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/started/) [Started Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/started-writing-238165/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Stories Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories-writing-301815/) [Them](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/them/) [Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think/) [Up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/up/) [Voice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/voice/) [Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/write/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Writing Late](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-late-353518/) [Writing short](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-short/) [Writing stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-stories/) [Writing voice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-voice/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) ## Related quotes > [You learn by writing short stories. Keep writing short stories. The money's in novels, but writing short stories keeps your writing lean and pointed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-niven/you-learn-by-writing-short-stories-keep-writing-short-stories-the/) [Larry Niven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-niven/) > [“In writing short stories—as in writing novels—take one thing at a time. (For some writers, this advice I'm giving may apply best to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gardner/in-writing-short-stories-as-in-writing-novels-take-one-thing-at-a/) [John Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gardner/) > [The first fiction I ever wrote was short stories. I was writing short stories in my late teens and early twenties, and I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jess-walter/the-first-fiction-i-ever-wrote-was-short-stories-i-was-writing-short/) [Jess Walter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jess-walter/) > [I was very in my own head as a kid. But I liked it there! I was just writing poetry, writing stories, writing plays.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arlo-parks/i-was-very-in-my-own-head-as-a-kid-but-i-liked-it-there-i-was-just/) [Arlo Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arlo-parks/) > [“I find writing novels a challenge, writing stories a joy. If writing novels is like planting a forest, then writing short stories is more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/i-find-writing-novels-a-challenge-writing-stories-a-joy-if-writing/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [I relish the time I have when there are no interruptions. Most often the best time for writing is late at night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franny-armstrong/i-relish-the-time-i-have-when-there-are-no-interruptions-most-often/) [Franny Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franny-armstrong/) > [“I didn't start writing late. I started when the story was ready and so was I. Writing@55”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trice-mcintyre/i-didn-t-start-writing-late-i-started-when-the-story-was-ready-and-so/) [Trice McIntyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trice-mcintyre/) > [Writing for late night is really good for learning how to write when you don't want to write. You have to produce every day.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-wolf/writing-for-late-night-is-really-good-for-learning-how-to-write-when/) [Michelle Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-wolf/) > [I didn't start writing until late high school and then I was just diddling. Mainly I loved to read and my writing was an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junot-diaz/i-didn-t-start-writing-until-late-high-school-and-then-i-was-just/) [Junot Diaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junot-diaz/) > [The man who comes to writing late, but is in essence a writer, may sometimes gain as much as he has lost: his experience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wright-morris/the-man-who-comes-to-writing-late-but-is-in-essence-a-writer-may/) [Wright Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wright-morris/) > [“I began writing late in life but I've learned that the more life you absorb, the more you have to say and the better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-zug/i-began-writing-late-in-life-but-i-ve-learned-that-the-more-life-you/) [Andrea Zug](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-zug/) > [When it comes to sermon writing, generally there are two problems. Some preachers love the research stage but hate the writing, and they start…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ortberg/when-it-comes-to-sermon-writing-generally-there-are-two-problems-some/) [John Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ortberg/) > [I started writing rather late in the game. I was fascinated about the story about how Bob Dylan, for 'Nashville Skyline,' wrote between takes.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-russell/i-started-writing-rather-late-in-the-game-i-was-fascinated-about-the/) [Leon Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-russell/) > [“I began writing late; my first articles and stories were published after I was thirty, and I was motivated by money. Money is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-v-carey/i-began-writing-late-my-first-articles-and-stories-were-published/) [M.V. Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-v-carey/) > [Well, my father Kingsley Amis was a writer and it seemed natural to start writing in my late teens. I think it was good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-amis/well-my-father-kingsley-amis-was-a-writer-and-it-seemed-natural-to/) [Martin Amis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-amis/) ## More by Jill Davis > [Imagine settling for a life you can have because you don't have the courage to go after the life you really want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-davis/imagine-settling-for-a-life-you-can-have-because-you-don-t-have-the/) [Jill Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-davis/) > [I really absolutely loved writing my first book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-davis/i-really-absolutely-loved-writing-my-first-book/) [Jill Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-davis/) > [“I read all of those books I always wanted to read, or reread... And I feel full. Until I finish a book. Then I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-davis/i-read-all-of-those-books-i-always-wanted-to-read-or-reread-and-i/) [Jill Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-davis/) > [When I was a newspaper reporter, and later a television writer, I really felt my co-workers became a second family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-davis/when-i-was-a-newspaper-reporter-and-later-a-television-writer-i/) [Jill Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-davis/) > [“Happy endings aren't for cowards. I've been alive for how many years, and I've just found that one out. I learned to be unfaithful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-davis/happy-endings-aren-t-for-cowards-i-ve-been-alive-for-how-many-years/) [Jill Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-davis/) > [I think shrinks are interesting to write about because you get to see what the character chooses to reveal, and what behaviors or stances…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-davis/i-think-shrinks-are-interesting-to-write-about-because-you-get-to-see/) [Jill Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-davis/) > [“Everyone's always concentrating on first love. No one seems to care much about second love. or third. Or Fourth love. First love, that's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-davis/everyone-s-always-concentrating-on-first-love-no-one-seems-to-care/) [Jill Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-davis/) > [“You can't start over. There's no such thing as starting over. There's only history. And right now you're making tomorrow's history. So go out,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-davis/you-can-t-start-over-there-s-no-such-thing-as-starting-over-there-s/) [Jill Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-davis/) > [I've been fascinated with the subject of loss for a long time. In particular, I'm interested in how people, consciously or unconsciously, spend their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-davis/i-ve-been-fascinated-with-the-subject-of-loss-for-a-long-time-in/) [Jill Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-davis/) > [Growing up, my two favorite books were Woody Allen's 'Side Effects' and Phyllis Diller's 'Housekeeping Hints.' I carried that Phyllis Diller book with me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-davis/growing-up-my-two-favorite-books-were-woody-allen-s-side-effects-and/) [Jill Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-davis/) > [Everyday the opportunity exists to change your life. But most days, the idea of having to change the big things in life just seems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-davis/everyday-the-opportunity-exists-to-change-your-life-but-most-days-the/) [Jill Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-davis/) > [It's the only real advantage to getting older. You get to say what you mean and stop apologizing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-davis/it-s-the-only-real-advantage-to-getting-older-you-get-to-say-what-you/) [Jill Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-davis/) > [I don't actually keep the dresses I've worn during other friends' weddings. Closets are small in New York City - I can't be squandering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-davis/i-don-t-actually-keep-the-dresses-i-ve-worn-during-other-friends/) [Jill Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-davis/) > [“I've never picked anyone up. I don't know how to pick up guys. I usually just camouflage myself as this wonderful person and let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-davis/i-ve-never-picked-anyone-up-i-don-t-know-how-to-pick-up-guys-i/) [Jill Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-davis/) > [I guess I don't have much interest in writing straight drama. So whatever subject matter I choose will ultimately be dealt with in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-davis/i-guess-i-don-t-have-much-interest-in-writing-straight-drama-so/) [Jill Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-davis/) [Explore all 16 Jill Davis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-davis/) ## More About quotes > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [Joking about violence is not funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/joking-about-violence-is-not-funny/) [Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/) > [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/) [Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/) > [With 'Pretty Girls,' I saw the opportunity to talk not just about crime but what crime leaves behind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karin-slaughter/with-pretty-girls-i-saw-the-opportunity-to-talk-not-just-about-crime/) [Karin Slaughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karin-slaughter/) > [I write about presidents. That means I write about guys - so far. I'm interested in the people closest to them, the people they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-kearns-goodwin/i-write-about-presidents-that-means-i-write-about-guys-so-far-i-m/) [Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-kearns-goodwin/) > [That's something a lot of folks don't know about me - I'm pretty darn funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/that-s-something-a-lot-of-folks-don-t-know-about-me-i-m-pretty-darn/) [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) > [I learned a lot about myself at Oakmont.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-lowry/i-learned-a-lot-about-myself-at-oakmont/) [Shane Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-lowry/) > [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/) > [Sport is not just about entertainment. It is equally about winning and losing, pooling and galvanising the energy of the youth, upgrading people's physical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nita-ambani/sport-is-not-just-about-entertainment-it-is-equally-about-winning-and/) [Nita Ambani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nita-ambani/) > [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/) [Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/) > [I didn't want to do 'Fashion Police' because I thought, 'This is stupid, this is beneath me, who wants to talk about fashion?' It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-rivers/i-didn-t-want-to-do-fashion-police-because-i-thought-this-is-stupid/) [Joan Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-rivers/) > [I just worried about my weight. Worried about my appearance and thought I wan't pretty enough to be a pop star. It was very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/i-just-worried-about-my-weight-worried-about-my-appearance-and/) [Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/) > [I read a couple of books about neuroscience and the relationship between the mind and the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-read-a-couple-of-books-about-neuroscience-and-the-relationship/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [There are a lot of kids out there copying and distributing movies - not because they care about seeing the movies or sharing them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-perry-barlow/there-are-a-lot-of-kids-out-there-copying-and-distributing-movies-not/) [John Perry Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-perry-barlow/) > [I have no physical genius about me. I can't dribble a ball and run at the same time, I can't do lay-ups - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-mullins/i-have-no-physical-genius-about-me-i-can-t-dribble-a-ball-and-run-at/) [Rich Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-mullins/) [Browse all 26,122 About quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/about/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I had been writing for the 'Late Show' for about four years when I started writing short stories. I had a blast writing the stories because I was writing in a voice more my own, as opposed to a man's. HBO ended up buying four of them. 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