Art Quote by John Gardner
““Writer's block comes from the feeling that one is doing the wrong thing or doing the right thing badly. Fiction written for the wrong reason may fail to satisfy the motive behind it and thus may block the writer, as I've said; but there is no wrong motive for writing fiction. At least in some instances, good fiction has come from the writer's wish to be loved, his wish to take revenge, his wish to work out his psychological woes, his wish for money, and so on. No motive is too low for art; finally it's the art, not the motive, that we judge.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Art of Fiction, John Gardner, 1983
Writing is blocked when authors focus on the wrong motive or fear doing it poorly; any motive can produce good art, but the work itself is judged, not the intent.
In simple terms: Writer's block stems from fear of motive or execution; any motive can yield good art.
Key Takeaway
Focus on craft, not motive.
Themes
creativity
motivation
artistic integrity
self-doubt
purpose
Mood
reflective
determined
hopeful
Type
advice
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- personal journaling
- therapy sessions
- career counseling
- creative retreats
Key Concepts
psychology of writing
intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation
creative process
Questions to Reflect On
- What motive drives your current project?
- How can you separate fear of judgment from the act of writing?
A Different Perspective
Even with pure motives, technical skill and discipline are still required for success.
