--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You can only write well ,what you have…" description: "\"“You can only write well ,what you have lived.”\" — Lailah Gifty Akita" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c16/lailah-gifty-akita-11_education_you-can-only-write-well-what-you-have-li_702600.jpg" --- # You can only write well ,what you have lived. ![“You can only write well ,what you have lived.” quote by Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c16/lailah-gifty-akita-11_education_you-can-only-write-well-what-you-have-li_702600.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c16/lailah-gifty-akita-11_education_you-can-only-write-well-what-you-have-li_702600.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c16/lailah-gifty-akita-11_education_you-can-only-write-well-what-you-have-li_702600.jpg) > ““You can only write well ,what you have lived.”” [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True writing stems from lived experience, not imagination alone. **In simple terms:** Write from life. Key Takeaway Write what you’ve lived. Themes authenticity experience creativity Mood thoughtful inspirational Type literary creative When to use this quote - memoir writing - journalism - fiction development Key Concepts storytelling personal truth Questions to Reflect On - What personal stories shape your voice? - How can imagination complement experience? A Different Perspective May limit creative imagination. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Experience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/experience/) [Inspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration/) [Lived](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lived/) [Living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/living/) [Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/write/) [Write Lived](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/write-lived-1822073/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writers/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Writing advice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-advice/) ## Related quotes > [“I am more of a doer than a writer. I do not live to write. I write because I have lived.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thurman-p-banks-jr/i-am-more-of-a-doer-than-a-writer-i-do-not-live-to-write-i-write/) [Thurman P. Banks Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thurman-p-banks-jr/) > [Whatever you have lived, you can write & by hard work & a genuine apprenticeship, you can learn to write well; but what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/whatever-you-have-lived-you-can-write-by-hard-work-a-genuine/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“Every wound is a word.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/every-wound-is-a-word/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“I know it's difficult in the beginning. But, listen. If you have the impulse to write, do yourself a favor, do the world a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christy-hall/i-know-it-s-difficult-in-the-beginning-but-listen-if-you-have-the/) [Christy Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christy-hall/) > [“Education is a cycle of reading, thinking and writing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/education-is-a-cycle-of-reading-thinking-and-writing/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“Our stories hold unique inspiration for one another.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/our-stories-hold-unique-inspiration-for-one-another/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“You have enough to create what you want.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/you-have-enough-to-create-what-you-want/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“Your story must told. Live a life legacy- written book or notes. This will be there for many generations to know your rich experiences…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/your-story-must-told-live-a-life-legacy-written-book-or-notes-this/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“Until you begin to write, then you shall know the wonders of the written word.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/until-you-begin-to-write-then-you-shall-know-the-wonders-of-the/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“Upon the one thing every writer absolutely must have, and that is intellectual curiosity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phillip-athans/upon-the-one-thing-every-writer-absolutely-must-have-and-that-is/) [Phillip Athans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phillip-athans/) > [“I do not recommend writing a screenplay in two weeks.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christy-hall/i-do-not-recommend-writing-a-screenplay-in-two-weeks/) [Christy Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christy-hall/) > [“The sooner you finish procrastinating, the sooner you can get back to your art.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-lennox/the-sooner-you-finish-procrastinating-the-sooner-you-can-get-back-to/) [Stephanie Lennox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-lennox/) > [Respect and love your readers. Write for the reader.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-evanovich/respect-and-love-your-readers-write-for-the-reader/) [Janet Evanovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-evanovich/) > [“If you wish to be a writer– then write, and don’t allow anyone to tell you that you’re on the ‘wrong’ path. You know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-kirin/if-you-wish-to-be-a-writer-then-write-and-don-t-allow-anyone-to-tell/) [M. Kirin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-kirin/) > [“A life lived for love is never lost.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/a-life-lived-for-love-is-never-lost/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) ## More by Lailah Gifty Akita > [“What can we do in any hardship? We can hope with prayerful praise.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/what-can-we-do-in-any-hardship-we-can-hope-with-prayerful-praise/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“Serve in the grace of strength within thy soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/serve-in-the-grace-of-strength-within-thy-soul/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“Every child is born as angel.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/every-child-is-born-as-angel/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“You are destiny for greatness. Your future is in the hands of the Lord.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/you-are-destiny-for-greatness-your-future-is-in-the-hands-of-the-lord/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“Is there any holy beings like human beings?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/is-there-any-holy-beings-like-human-beings/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“Great things can be accomplish with passionate enthusiasm.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/great-things-can-be-accomplish-with-passionate-enthusiasm/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“Whoever sees the Saviour, the light of life, shall be satisfied in spirit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/whoever-sees-the-saviour-the-light-of-life-shall-be-satisfied-in/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“The vocation of a man lies in his vision.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/the-vocation-of-a-man-lies-in-his-vision/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“Sanctification comes from the Holy Spirit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/sanctification-comes-from-the-holy-spirit/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“We ought to know the history of our ancient ancestors.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/we-ought-to-know-the-history-of-our-ancient-ancestors/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“Duty is a done deal.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/duty-is-a-done-deal/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“We have grace of strength to work, to clear our cities of any dirt.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/we-have-grace-of-strength-to-work-to-clear-our-cities-of-any-dirt/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“The final destination is death.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/the-final-destination-is-death/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“You must enjoy and treasure every moment of your journey on earth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/you-must-enjoy-and-treasure-every-moment-of-your-journey-on-earth/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“God is the Wonderful Counselor.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/god-is-the-wonderful-counselor/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) [Explore all 4,135 Lailah Gifty Akita quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) ## More Education quotes > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) [Ted Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-martinez/) > [“In school you are taught to obey and not to think straight for your own good. Otherwise the world would be full of millionaires…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mwanandeke-kindembo/in-school-you-are-taught-to-obey-and-not-to-think-straight-for-your/) [Mwanandeke Kindembo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mwanandeke-kindembo/) > [For successful education there must always be a certain freshness in the knowledge dealt with. It must be either new in itself or invested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/for-successful-education-there-must-always-be-a-certain-freshness-in/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [Where I grew up, learning was a collective activity. But when I got to school and tried to share learning with other students that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/where-i-grew-up-learning-was-a-collective-activity-but-when-i-got-to/) [Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/) > [There's no authoritarian structure at Reed College, but the education is conservative. So what you have is a lot of students who are very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-miller/there-s-no-authoritarian-structure-at-reed-college-but-the-education/) [Donald Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-miller/) > [“What's the best thing about being in college? Good teachers. They inspire you, they entertain you, and you end up learning a ton even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/what-s-the-best-thing-about-being-in-college-good-teachers-they/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [“If one has not a head of steel it will burst; if he has not within it a brain of liquid quicksilver, he will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ioannes-amos-commenius/if-one-has-not-a-head-of-steel-it-will-burst-if-he-has-not-within-it/) [Ioannes Amos Commenius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ioannes-amos-commenius/) > [“let us not teach / what we have learned badly / and not profited by”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-d-hilda-doolittle/let-us-not-teach-what-we-have-learned-badly-and-not-profited-by/) [H.D. (Hilda Doolittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-d-hilda-doolittle/) > [“It took me years to learn to sit at my desk for more than two minutes at a time, to put up with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-jong/it-took-me-years-to-learn-to-sit-at-my-desk-for-more-than-two-minutes/) [Erica Jong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-jong/) > [According to Plato, we don't learn anything. Our soul has lived so many lives that we know everything. Teachers and education can only remind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/according-to-plato-we-don-t-learn-anything-our-soul-has-lived-so-many/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [“I only began to enjoy studying after I got through the educational system and became a so-called member of society. If something interested me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-only-began-to-enjoy-studying-after-i-got-through-the-educational/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you had made the acquiring of ignorance the study of your life, you could not have graduated with higher honor than you could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/if-you-had-made-the-acquiring-of-ignorance-the-study-of-your-life-you/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [How wonderful it would be, I thought, if only we could practice the teachings of the Buddha as he really taught them from his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/how-wonderful-it-would-be-i-thought-if-only-we-could-practice-the/) [Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/) > [English teachers tend to put more thought in the books than the author did](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/english-teachers-tend-to-put-more-thought-in-the-books-than-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When will society, like a mother, take care of all her children?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/when-will-society-like-a-mother-take-care-of-all-her-children/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) [Browse all 37,666 Education quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“You can only write well ,what you have lived.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lailah Gifty Akita" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/you-can-only-write-well-what-you-have-lived/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Education" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/you-can-only-write-well-what-you-have-lived/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c16/lailah-gifty-akita-11_education_you-can-only-write-well-what-you-have-li_702600.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c16/lailah-gifty-akita-11_education_you-can-only-write-well-what-you-have-li_702600.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c16/lailah-gifty-akita-11_education_you-can-only-write-well-what-you-have-li_702600.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You can only write well ,what you have lived.” — Lailah Gifty Akita", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Lailah Gifty Akita", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“You can only write well ,what...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/you-can-only-write-well-what-you-have-lived/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/you-can-only-write-well-what-you-have-lived/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```