--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was mainly in a state of nervousness…" description: "\"I was mainly in a state of nervousness while I wrote it - nervousness that it was far bigger and more complicated than anything Id attempted before, an..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3c/jonathan-coe-10154_abandoned_i-was-mainly-in-a-state-of-nervousness-w_2521511.jpg" --- # I was mainly in a state of nervousness while I wrote it… ![“I was mainly in a state of nervousness while I wrote it - nervousness that it was far bigger and more complicated than anything Id attempted before, and that maybe my talent just wasnt up to it and the book would have to be abandoned, or would turn out not to work at all when it was finished.” quote by Jonathan Coe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3c/jonathan-coe-10154_abandoned_i-was-mainly-in-a-state-of-nervousness-w_2521511.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3c/jonathan-coe-10154_abandoned_i-was-mainly-in-a-state-of-nervousness-w_2521511.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3c/jonathan-coe-10154_abandoned_i-was-mainly-in-a-state-of-nervousness-w_2521511.jpg) > “I was mainly in a state of nervousness while I wrote it - nervousness that it was far bigger and more complicated than anything Id attempted before, and that maybe my talent just wasnt up to it and the book would have to be abandoned, or would turn out not to work at all when it was finished.” [Jonathan Coe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-coe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The author felt intense anxiety about the scale and difficulty of a project, fearing inadequacy and possible failure. **In simple terms:** He was scared his work was too big and beyond his skill. Key Takeaway Acknowledge fear but keep working. Themes anxiety self‑doubt creativity Mood nervous determined Type motivational reflective When to use this quote - writing a novel - starting a big project - public speaking - launching a product Key Concepts impostor syndrome risk assessment Questions to Reflect On - What steps can you take to reduce self‑doubt? - How do you balance ambition with realistic expectations? A Different Perspective Fear can paralyze progress if not managed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abandoned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abandoned/) [Bigger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bigger/) [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Complicated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complicated/) [Finished](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finished/) [Nervousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nervousness/) [Nervousness Far](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nervousness-far-1254826/) [Nervousness Wrote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nervousness-wrote-1254825/) [State Nervousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/state-nervousness-517606/) [States](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/states/) [Talent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talent/) [Turns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/turns/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Wrote Nervousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrote-nervousness-1254824/) ## Related quotes > [Fear is a state of nervousness only fit for children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/fear-is-a-state-of-nervousness-only-fit-for-children/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Look at them. 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