--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I always want to challenge myself as a…" description: "\"I always want to challenge myself as a writer. I consider myself more of a writer than I do a director.\" — Lena Waithe" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f49/lena-waithe-4351_challenges_i-always-want-to-challenge-myself-as-a-w_2656558.jpg" --- # I always want to challenge myself as a writer. I consider… ![“I always want to challenge myself as a writer. I consider myself more of a writer than I do a director.” quote by Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f49/lena-waithe-4351_challenges_i-always-want-to-challenge-myself-as-a-w_2656558.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f49/lena-waithe-4351_challenges_i-always-want-to-challenge-myself-as-a-w_2656558.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f49/lena-waithe-4351_challenges_i-always-want-to-challenge-myself-as-a-w_2656558.jpg) > “I always want to challenge myself as a writer. I consider myself more of a writer than I do a director.” [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She prioritizes writing over directing, emphasizing personal creative identity. **In simple terms:** She sees herself first as a writer. Key Takeaway Cultivate your primary creative passion. Themes creativity identity career Mood determined inspired Type professional motivational When to use this quote - scriptwriting - author workshops - career planning Key Concepts artistic self role definition Questions to Reflect On - What defines your creative identity? - How do you balance multiple artistic roles? A Different Perspective Balancing multiple roles can dilute focus. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Challenge Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/challenge-writer-706344/) [Challenges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/challenges/) [Consider Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consider-writer-404040/) [Directors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/directors/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writer Consider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer-consider-1922207/) [Writer Director](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer-director-386548/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I consider myself more of a writer than I do a director.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/i-consider-myself-more-of-a-writer-than-i-do-a-director/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [In a weird way, I never wanted - I don't consider myself a very good writer. I consider myself okay; I don't consider myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-esmail/in-a-weird-way-i-never-wanted-i-don-t-consider-myself-a-very-good/) [Sam Esmail](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-esmail/) > [Bookstores never seem to know where to put me on the shelves. But I do. I love my genre and I love those writers,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-winslow/bookstores-never-seem-to-know-where-to-put-me-on-the-shelves-but-i-do/) [Don Winslow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-winslow/) > [“I'm a professional writer and I consider it part of my job to publicise my work and these days part of that job is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-sheridan/i-m-a-professional-writer-and-i-consider-it-part-of-my-job-to/) [Sara Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-sheridan/) > [I try not to repeat a story. I try not to repeat an emotion. I want it to be all sort of new for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-patrick-king/i-try-not-to-repeat-a-story-i-try-not-to-repeat-an-emotion-i-want-it/) [Michael Patrick King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-patrick-king/) > [The first challenge that every writer or creator of material faces is getting through the crowd so that the person you're trying to sell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-claremont/the-first-challenge-that-every-writer-or-creator-of-material-faces-is/) [Chris Claremont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-claremont/) > [Genre-spanning is the effort to make the live show interesting. It's also a great way to challenge yourself as a writer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-mraz/genre-spanning-is-the-effort-to-make-the-live-show-interesting-it-s/) [Jason Mraz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-mraz/) > [I can't recall a story that played out exactly as I'd expected it to. That's one of the thrills of journalism - being surprised,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-barry/i-can-t-recall-a-story-that-played-out-exactly-as-i-d-expected-it-to/) [Dave Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-barry/) > [The challenge is always as a writer, is this going to work, because it's a very intimate process, and I tend to be very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-estefan/the-challenge-is-always-as-a-writer-is-this-going-to-work-because-it/) [Gloria Estefan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-estefan/) > [Writer-directors are a little bit more liberal, rather than having just the writer on the set, because I think sometimes the writer becomes too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-farina/writer-directors-are-a-little-bit-more-liberal-rather-than-having/) [Dennis Farina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-farina/) > [With a book I am the writer and I am also the director and I'm all of the actors and I'm the special effects…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin-2/with-a-book-i-am-the-writer-and-i-am-also-the-director-and-i-m-all-of/) [George R. R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin-2/) > [As a writer and a director, I simply don’t have the time I need to write and prep the movie I would have wanted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-ross/as-a-writer-and-a-director-i-simply-don-t-have-the-time-i-need-to/) [Gary Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-ross/) > [I'm a producer, writer, director. I'm putting everything together very fast, and I'm strong and focused on making the next film as fast as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malgorzata-szumowska/i-m-a-producer-writer-director-i-m-putting-everything-together-very/) [Malgorzata Szumowska](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malgorzata-szumowska/) > [Seriously, I don't consider myself a writer. I don't think I have writing talent. But I will continue to do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/seriously-i-don-t-consider-myself-a-writer-i-don-t-think-i-have/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [I don't really consider myself a writer, but I am writing so I guess I'm a writer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meital-dohan/i-don-t-really-consider-myself-a-writer-but-i-am-writing-so-i-guess-i/) [Meital Dohan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meital-dohan/) ## More by Lena Waithe > [I'm a huge fan of television, and the reason I'm a part of the world is because I'm a fan of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/i-m-a-huge-fan-of-television-and-the-reason-i-m-a-part-of-the-world/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [To be yourself is truly a revolutionary act, and I think more and more people should try it, because it's gotten me a pretty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/to-be-yourself-is-truly-a-revolutionary-act-and-i-think-more-and-more/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [I love basketball! When I'm flying, and I have on sweats, a hat, and sneakers, people always assume that I'm a high school kid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/i-love-basketball-when-i-m-flying-and-i-have-on-sweats-a-hat-and/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [The only way you really see change is by helping to create it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/the-only-way-you-really-see-change-is-by-helping-to-create-it/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [For me, it's about making art that's not good but phenomenal. James Baldwin didn't want to just stay above the fray. Prince didn't think,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/for-me-it-s-about-making-art-that-s-not-good-but-phenomenal-james/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [The truth is, for me, when I was a young black girl who knew I was different, was watching TV, I would always be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/the-truth-is-for-me-when-i-was-a-young-black-girl-who-knew-i-was/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [There's something specific about Chicagoans, and I just felt like I'd love to tell their story in a creative way. Not in a way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/there-s-something-specific-about-chicagoans-and-i-just-felt-like-i-d/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [It's always been my intention to never be boxed in. I never like to do something that it feels like I've done before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/it-s-always-been-my-intention-to-never-be-boxed-in-i-never-like-to-do/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [Most writers stick to what they know. The black experience is our experience, so it's not that challenging for us. That's why sometimes you'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/most-writers-stick-to-what-they-know-the-black-experience-is-our/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [Wearing one hoop earring and playing with the androgyny - that's who I am. That's what I like to do. And I feel the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/wearing-one-hoop-earring-and-playing-with-the-androgyny-that-s-who-i/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [You can talk all day long, but if you don't do something, it's a waste.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/you-can-talk-all-day-long-but-if-you-don-t-do-something-it-s-a-waste/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [I sort of knew very early on that I wanted to be a writer. Even in high school, I was a big movie buff,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/i-sort-of-knew-very-early-on-that-i-wanted-to-be-a-writer-even-in/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [My family still lives in Chicago: my mother, my sister, my nephew, my family is there. So even though I am not living there,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/my-family-still-lives-in-chicago-my-mother-my-sister-my-nephew-my/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [I feel like I've accomplished a lot, but for me, it's about pushing to the point where I can be Mark Walhberg, Ryan Murphy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/i-feel-like-i-ve-accomplished-a-lot-but-for-me-it-s-about-pushing-to/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [With 'The Chi,' it's me observing my own city and also pulling some things from themes I've dealt with in my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/with-the-chi-it-s-me-observing-my-own-city-and-also-pulling-some/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) [Explore all 112 Lena Waithe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) ## More Challenges quotes > [I know for my wife and I, we always loved the idea of being young parents. It is an incredibly inspiring and challenging job…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hanson/i-know-for-my-wife-and-i-we-always-loved-the-idea-of-being-young/) [Taylor Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hanson/) > [Our biggest challenge is to eliminate the popular perception that economists don't have anything useful to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-zandi/our-biggest-challenge-is-to-eliminate-the-popular-perception-that/) [Mark Zandi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-zandi/) > [I think books in which people are really happy and things are going well are probably the most challenging novels there are to write,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/i-think-books-in-which-people-are-really-happy-and-things-are-going/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [I think the next 50 years are going to present the human race with challenges that so far exceed the limitations of geopolitical boundaries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-quinto/i-think-the-next-50-years-are-going-to-present-the-human-race-with/) [Zachary Quinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-quinto/) > [“Doing the work to transform your dreams into reality is like walking across the earth. It can be that hard, and it can take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dragos-bratasanu/doing-the-work-to-transform-your-dreams-into-reality-is-like-walking/) [Dragos Bratasanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dragos-bratasanu/) > [I want to be perceived as a guy who played his best in all facets, not just scoring. A guy who loved challenges.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jordan/i-want-to-be-perceived-as-a-guy-who-played-his-best-in-all-facets-not/) [Michael Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jordan/) > [People in great groups have blinders on. Their work is all they see. They value failures as learning opportunities. They are optimistic, not realistic,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-g-bennis/people-in-great-groups-have-blinders-on-their-work-is-all-they-see/) [Warren G. Bennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-g-bennis/) > [If, as I anticipate, a wide array of personal, portable information/communication devices becomes increasingly important and widespread for information-intensive users, it will be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/if-as-i-anticipate-a-wide-array-of-personal-portable-information/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [“Two powerful, little words I've learned to use when facing challenges, fears, and doubts— so what? ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/two-powerful-little-words-i-ve-learned-to-use-when-facing-challenges/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [It's a challenge to work a character's arc into a format in which you only have a very limited amount of time to grow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginnifer-goodwin/it-s-a-challenge-to-work-a-character-s-arc-into-a-format-in-which-you/) [Ginnifer Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginnifer-goodwin/) > [I personally think if something's not a challenge, there's no point doing it, because you're not gonna learn much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-personally-think-if-something-s-not-a-challenge-there-s-no-point/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Men want a challenge, but they want a challenge they can win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whitney-gaskell/men-want-a-challenge-but-they-want-a-challenge-they-can-win/) [Whitney Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/whitney-gaskell/) > [Growing up with a parent in the army, I saw firsthand the challenges our service members face when transitioning to new jobs after time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharice-davids/growing-up-with-a-parent-in-the-army-i-saw-firsthand-the-challenges/) [Sharice Davids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharice-davids/) > [Nobody challenges me. I challenge myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shakuntala-devi/nobody-challenges-me-i-challenge-myself/) [Shakuntala Devi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shakuntala-devi/) > [Challenging is good, like good conversation, yes? Who wants to have dinner with the same old easy listening music sounding friends all the time?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/challenging-is-good-like-good-conversation-yes-who-wants-to-have/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) [Browse all 8,851 Challenges quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/challenges/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I always want to challenge myself as a writer. 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