Books Quote by John Barth
““How come you write the way you do?” an apprentice writer in my Johns Hopkins workshop once disingenuously asked Donald Barthelme, who was visiting. Without missing a beat, Don replied, “Because Samuel Beckett was already writing the way he does.” Asked another, smiling but serious, “How can we become better writers than we are?” “Well," DB advised, “for starters, read through the whole history of philosophy, from the pre-Socratics up through last semester. That might help.” “But Coach Barth has already advised us to read all of literature, from Gilgamesh up through last semester...” “That, too,” Donald affirmed, and twinkled that shrewd Amish-farmer-from-West-11th-Street twinkle of his. “You’re probably wasting time on things like eating and sleeping. Cease that, and read all of philosophy and all of literature. Also art. Plus politics and a few other things. The history of everything.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Conversation with Donald Barthelme, 1975
Becoming a better writer requires broad, interdisciplinary reading, especially philosophy and literature, to deepen insight.
In simple terms: Read widely across philosophy and literature to improve writing.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate diverse knowledge to enhance craft.
Themes
learning
creativity
interdisciplinary
craft
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
educational
inspirational
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- academic study
- personal development
- creative practice
Key Concepts
philosophy
literature
art
politics
history
Questions to Reflect On
- What disciplines most influence your writing?
- How balance depth and breadth in reading?
A Different Perspective
Too much reading can overwhelm and dilute focus.
