Facility Quote by John Steinbeck
“I start out to write five days a week, and then it runs to six days and finally seven. Then, eventually, that wave of weariness overwhelms me and I don't know what's the matter. That is, I know but I won't admit it. I'm just tired from writing. As you get older, writing becomes harder. By that I mean you see so many more potentialities. Things like transition used to trouble me. But not any more. When I say it's harder, I'm not talking about facility. You learn all the so-called tricks, but then you don't want to use them.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Rolling Stone, 1965
Writing becomes harder with age as awareness of possibilities grows, leading to fatigue despite skill.
In simple terms: Aging writers face overwhelm from many options.
Key Takeaway
Limit choices to focus creative energy.
Themes
creativity
aging
fatigue
Mood
reflective
introspective
Type
literary
motivational
When to use this quote
- novel drafting
- daily writing routines
- career longevity
Key Concepts
psychology of writing
creative process
Questions to Reflect On
- How can writers balance depth and productivity?
- What routines sustain long‑term creativity?
A Different Perspective
Skill alone cannot prevent burnout.
![“Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three [great teachers] did not tell - they catalyzed a burning desire to know. Under their influence, the horizons sprung wide and fear went away and the unknown became knowable. But most important of…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/84c/john-steinbeck-71_art_teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-t_1738.jpg)
