---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have no interest in writing…"
description: "\"I have no interest in writing confessions, in deliberately baring myself to my readers. I prefer to remain behind a screen.\" — Louis Begley"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12a/louis-begley-43300_behinds_i-have-no-interest-in-writing-confession_67132.png"
---

#  I have no interest in writing confessions, in deliberately…

![“I have no interest in writing confessions, in deliberately baring myself to my readers. I prefer to remain behind a screen.” quote by Louis Begley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12a/louis-begley-43300_behinds_i-have-no-interest-in-writing-confession_67132.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12a/louis-begley-43300_behinds_i-have-no-interest-in-writing-confession_67132.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12a/louis-begley-43300_behinds_i-have-no-interest-in-writing-confession_67132.png)

> “I have no interest in writing confessions, in deliberately baring myself to my readers. I prefer to remain behind a screen.”

[Louis Begley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-begley/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker rejects personal confession, choosing anonymity and distance over exposing private thoughts to an audience.

**In simple terms:** Prefers privacy over openness.

Key Takeaway

Value of personal boundaries.

Themes

privacy authenticity self‑presentation vulnerability literary style

Mood

reflective defensive thoughtful

Type

personal essay literary quote philosophical statement

When to use this quote

- writing memoirs
- blogging
- social media posts
- public speaking

Key Concepts

authorial voice reader‑author relationship personal exposure

Practical Applications

- maintaining professional distance
- protecting personal life

Questions to Reflect On

- Why might an author choose anonymity?
- How does distance affect reader trust?

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Confession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confession/) [Confessions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confessions/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/)

## Related quotes

> [Some secrets should never turn into confessions. I know that better than anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-hoover/some-secrets-should-never-turn-into-confessions-i-know-that-better/)

[Colleen Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-hoover/)

> [All confessions are Odysseys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-queneau/all-confessions-are-odysseys/)

[Raymond Queneau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-queneau/)

> [Hearing nuns' confessions is like being stoned to death with popcorn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/hearing-nuns-confessions-is-like-being-stoned-to-death-with-popcorn/)

[Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/)

> [Always our wars have been our confessions of weakness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-rukeyser/always-our-wars-have-been-our-confessions-of-weakness/)

[Muriel Rukeyser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-rukeyser/)

> [I have heard thousands of confessions, but never one of covetousness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-xavier/i-have-heard-thousands-of-confessions-but-never-one-of-covetousness/)

[Francis Xavier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-xavier/)

> [Confessions are like tattoos in that 1) You convince yourself that the immediate pain of going through the process means it won't bother you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-barreca/confessions-are-like-tattoos-in-that-1-you-convince-yourself-that-the/)

[Gina Barreca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-barreca/)

> [The confessions can touch on every human emotion. They can be laugh-out-loud funny, for sure, they can be heart-breaking, they can be sexual or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-warren/the-confessions-can-touch-on-every-human-emotion-they-can-be-laugh/)

[Frank Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-warren/)

> [Uncalled for excuses are practical confessions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/uncalled-for-excuses-are-practical-confessions/)

[Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/)

> [Tulse Luper, who without too many confessions, in a sense, is a fictive version of me. I have to say he has far more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-greenaway/tulse-luper-who-without-too-many-confessions-in-a-sense-is-a-fictive/)

[Peter Greenaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-greenaway/)

> [“Fantastic,” I said without an ounce of enthusiasm. “I’m just one more embarrassing confession away from taking over the world.” --Spencer Nye”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-letts/fantastic-i-said-without-an-ounce-of-enthusiasm-i-m-just-one-more/)

Jason Letts

> [“He’s a steamroller in my life and I like to be laid out flat. I like his hands on my chest, pushing me down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-a-lord/he-s-a-steamroller-in-my-life-and-i-like-to-be-laid-out-flat-i-like/)

Laura A. Lord

> [“It's not the right word, Eva," he pressed on stubbornly, his lips at my ear. "That's why I haven't said it. It's not the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-day/it-s-not-the-right-word-eva-he-pressed-on-stubbornly-his-lips-at-my/)

[Sylvia Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-day/)

> [“..wer am meisten genießt, betet am meisten.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-b-chner/wer-am-meisten-genie-t-betet-am-meisten/)

[Georg Büchner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-b-chner/)

> [“When it comes to the crunch, coming out is the greatest of all confessions. Nothing is more difficult to acknowledge. When we become ourselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/witi-ihimaera/when-it-comes-to-the-crunch-coming-out-is-the-greatest-of-all/)

[Witi Ihimaera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/witi-ihimaera/)

> [“Some disquieting confessions must be made in printing at last the play of Peter Pan; among them this, that I have no recollection of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-barrie/some-disquieting-confessions-must-be-made-in-printing-at-last-the/)

[J.M. Barrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-barrie/)

## More by Louis Begley

> [I think I am less self-assured when I write English than I would be if I were writing in my first language. I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-begley/i-think-i-am-less-self-assured-when-i-write-english-than-i-would-be/)

[Louis Begley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-begley/)

> [If a comparative-literature major had existed at Harvard College for undergraduates I would have surely gone in that direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-begley/if-a-comparative-literature-major-had-existed-at-harvard-college-for/)

[Louis Begley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-begley/)

> [I think that Jews - because they are a distinct, gifted and successful group that differentiates itself from societies in which it lives -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-begley/i-think-that-jews-because-they-are-a-distinct-gifted-and-successful/)

[Louis Begley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-begley/)

> [As you know, I am a novelist, and I really want to write novels. But I knew enough about the Dreyfus case to understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-begley/as-you-know-i-am-a-novelist-and-i-really-want-to-write-novels-but-i/)

[Louis Begley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-begley/)

> [My views about the safety of Jews in the world have not been changed by the work on the Dreyfus affair or, for that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-begley/my-views-about-the-safety-of-jews-in-the-world-have-not-been-changed/)

[Louis Begley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-begley/)

> [In legal practice, in the representation of clients, I have always felt deeply engaged, serene, and not all inclined to stand aside. I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-begley/in-legal-practice-in-the-representation-of-clients-i-have-always-felt/)

[Louis Begley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-begley/)

> [I may well do some more polemical writing, if a subject that fires me up comes along. Apart from that possibility, I would like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-begley/i-may-well-do-some-more-polemical-writing-if-a-subject-that-fires-me/)

[Louis Begley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-begley/)

> [I'm not ashamed to admit that occasionally I've found myself aroused by my own depictions of sex.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-begley/i-m-not-ashamed-to-admit-that-occasionally-i-ve-found-myself-aroused/)

[Louis Begley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-begley/)

[Explore all 9 Louis Begley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-begley/)

## More Behinds quotes

> [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/)

[Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/)

> [Behind every successful child is an adult who believed in him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/behind-every-successful-child-is-an-adult-who-believed-in-him/)

[Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/)

> [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/)

[Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/)

> [Time is painted with a lock before, and bald behind, signifying thereby that we must take time by the forelock; for, when it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/time-is-painted-with-a-lock-before-and-bald-behind-signifying-thereby/)

[Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/)

> [God hides Himself behind causes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-rollin/god-hides-himself-behind-causes/)

[Charles Rollin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-rollin/)

> [Home is behind, the world ahead, And there are many paths to tread Through shadows to the edge of night, Until the stars are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/home-is-behind-the-world-ahead-and-there-are-many-paths-to-tread/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Behind every word flows energy. If you use your words to gossip or babble about what you are going to do before you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-choquette/behind-every-word-flows-energy-if-you-use-your-words-to-gossip-or/)

[Sonia Choquette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-choquette/)

> [With the realization of God comes all power. If the little wave knew that behind it is the great ocean, it could say, "I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/with-the-realization-of-god-comes-all-power-if-the-little-wave-knew/)

[Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/)

> [Conservatism is not about leaving people behind. Conservatism is about empowering people to catch up, to give them the tools at their disposable that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/conservatism-is-not-about-leaving-people-behind-conservatism-is-about/)

[Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/)

> [And the seasons they go 'round and 'round And the painted ponies go up and down We're captive on the carousel of time We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/and-the-seasons-they-go-round-and-round-and-the-painted-ponies-go-up/)

[Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/)

> [It is worthwhile for anyone to have behind him a few generations of honest, hard-working ancestry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-worthwhile-for-anyone-to-have-behind-him-a-few-generations-of/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I'm really thankful to God, man. Like now, I'm really making a real comeback with my group. With or without a record, with or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ike-turner/i-m-really-thankful-to-god-man-like-now-i-m-really-making-a-real/)

[Ike Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ike-turner/)

> [Empires fall, ids explode, great symphonies are written, and behind all of it is a single instinct that demands satisfaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherwin-b-nuland/empires-fall-ids-explode-great-symphonies-are-written-and-behind-all/)

[Sherwin B. Nuland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherwin-b-nuland/)

> [ Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs \[Less Developed Countries\]?... I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-summers/just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-world-bank-be-encouraging-more/)

[Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-summers/)

> [After a few mouthfuls of moon-flavored air, even the stubbornly drowsy can find themselves wide-eyed.. All the normal noises of life were gone, leaving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-d-wilson/after-a-few-mouthfuls-of-moon-flavored-air-even-the-stubbornly-drowsy/)

[N.D. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-d-wilson/)

Browse all 6,789 Behinds quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I have no interest in writing confessions, in deliberately baring myself to my readers. I prefer to remain behind a screen.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Louis Begley"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-begley/i-have-no-interest-in-writing-confessions-in-deliberately-baring/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Behinds"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-begley/i-have-no-interest-in-writing-confessions-in-deliberately-baring/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12a/louis-begley-43300_behinds_i-have-no-interest-in-writing-confession_67132.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12a/louis-begley-43300_behinds_i-have-no-interest-in-writing-confession_67132.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12a/louis-begley-43300_behinds_i-have-no-interest-in-writing-confession_67132.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I have no interest in writing confessions, in deliberately baring myself to my readers. I prefer to remain…” — Louis Begley",
                "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": "Louis Begley",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-begley/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I have no interest in writing...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-begley/i-have-no-interest-in-writing-confessions-in-deliberately-baring/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-begley/i-have-no-interest-in-writing-confessions-in-deliberately-baring/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
