--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Writing has never been an intentional…" description: "\"Writing has never been an intentional endeavor to me. I know a lot of people have experiences and then sit down and try to sort them out through song, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a17/lucy-dacus-7153_never_writing-has-never-been-an-intentional-en_612095.jpg" --- # Writing has never been an intentional endeavor to me. I… ![“Writing has never been an intentional endeavor to me. I know a lot of people have experiences and then sit down and try to sort them out through song, but whenever I sit down to write, it comes out hackneyed or overly saccharine.” quote by Lucy Dacus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a17/lucy-dacus-7153_never_writing-has-never-been-an-intentional-en_612095.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a17/lucy-dacus-7153_never_writing-has-never-been-an-intentional-en_612095.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a17/lucy-dacus-7153_never_writing-has-never-been-an-intentional-en_612095.jpg) > “Writing has never been an intentional endeavor to me. I know a lot of people have experiences and then sit down and try to sort them out through song, but whenever I sit down to write, it comes out hackneyed or overly saccharine.” [Lucy Dacus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-dacus/) ## 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 feels writing is never purposeful; attempts feel forced and sentimental. **In simple terms:** Writing feels forced and sentimental. Key Takeaway Accept imperfection, write authentically. Themes creativity authenticity self‑criticism Mood frustrated reflective Type advice personal When to use this quote - songwriting - personal essays - journaling - creative workshops Key Concepts artistic expression inner critic Questions to Reflect On - What blocks your authentic voice? - How can you embrace imperfection in writing? A Different Perspective Perfectionism can stifle genuine voice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Nowadays it seems as though people sit down to write what they know is going to be a trilogy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lois-lowry/nowadays-it-seems-as-though-people-sit-down-to-write-what-they-know/) [Lois Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lois-lowry/) > [You can't sit down and write 300 compositions in a three-month period and think that you're doing it all by yourself. Obviously, there's something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-zorn/you-can-t-sit-down-and-write-300-compositions-in-a-three-month-period/) [John Zorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-zorn/) > [I don't get writer's block. I don't try to write anything; when something comes, I write it. I just practice and when I get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-james/i-don-t-get-writer-s-block-i-don-t-try-to-write-anything-when/) [Jose James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-james/) > [“Sit here, so I may write you into a poem and make you eternal.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/sit-here-so-i-may-write-you-into-a-poem-and-make-you-eternal/) [Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/) > [I do as much bookish research as I can but when I sit down to write, often I think, 'Wait, I was there.' That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-winchester/i-do-as-much-bookish-research-as-i-can-but-when-i-sit-down-to-write/) [Simon Winchester](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-winchester/) > [If I could get someone like John Grisham or someone like that to sit down and write a book with me, I'd love that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-jackson/if-i-could-get-someone-like-john-grisham-or-someone-like-that-to-sit/) [Keith Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-jackson/) > [When I sit down to write, I don't think, 'OK, what is the next David O. Russell film I can write, or what is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-quick/when-i-sit-down-to-write-i-don-t-think-ok-what-is-the-next-david-o/) [Matthew Quick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-quick/) > [When lockdown happened, and I didn't have that focus to sit down and write a novel, which is what I was supposed to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dawn-o-porter/when-lockdown-happened-and-i-didn-t-have-that-focus-to-sit-down-and/) [Dawn O'Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dawn-o-porter/) > [When I'm writing a novel, which is what I like to write, I get up early, sit zazen, make a pot of green tea.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-ozeki/when-i-m-writing-a-novel-which-is-what-i-like-to-write-i-get-up-early/) [Ruth Ozeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-ozeki/) > [Every time I sit down to write, I need to commit to a word count goal, otherwise I waste too much time editing and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liane-moriarty/every-time-i-sit-down-to-write-i-need-to-commit-to-a-word-count-goal/) [Liane Moriarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liane-moriarty/) > [I don't sit down to write a funny story. Every single thing I sit down to write is meant to be sad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorrie-moore/i-don-t-sit-down-to-write-a-funny-story-every-single-thing-i-sit-down/) [Lorrie Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorrie-moore/) > [Sometimes, you sit down to write a song, you don't realize what it's going to mean to somebody other than yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-combs/sometimes-you-sit-down-to-write-a-song-you-don-t-realize-what-it-s/) [Luke Combs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-combs/) > [I won't usually just sit down to write. I'd have done it in my head already. I visualise a story just like a film…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruskin-bond/i-won-t-usually-just-sit-down-to-write-i-d-have-done-it-in-my-head/) [Ruskin Bond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruskin-bond/) > [My process is surprisingly straightforward. I find myself with little to do over a stretch of time and I say, "I should write children's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ian-black/my-process-is-surprisingly-straightforward-i-find-myself-with-little/) [Michael Ian Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ian-black/) > [And sometimes I sit down to write, because that is what I like to do more and more in the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-brandis/and-sometimes-i-sit-down-to-write-because-that-is-what-i-like-to-do/) [Jonathan Brandis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-brandis/) ## More by Lucy Dacus > [When I'm on a stage, it's just me, singing a song with words that I wrote and I believe in. And if I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-dacus/when-i-m-on-a-stage-it-s-just-me-singing-a-song-with-words-that-i/) [Lucy Dacus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-dacus/) > [Being on tour, it's really easy to stop knowing people that you want to know, because you're not sharing experiences; you're not existing in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-dacus/being-on-tour-it-s-really-easy-to-stop-knowing-people-that-you-want/) [Lucy Dacus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-dacus/) > [The main way that being adopted has shaped my songwriting is that I was asked at an early age to consider the circumstances that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-dacus/the-main-way-that-being-adopted-has-shaped-my-songwriting-is-that-i/) [Lucy Dacus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-dacus/) > [Music was always encouraged as a passion and a hobby, but I was never told, 'This should be your job. You write music and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-dacus/music-was-always-encouraged-as-a-passion-and-a-hobby-but-i-was-never/) [Lucy Dacus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-dacus/) > [Whenever I'm trying to understand people that I don't understand, or things in people or even in myself, I'll say, 'When did this negativity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-dacus/whenever-i-m-trying-to-understand-people-that-i-don-t-understand-or/) [Lucy Dacus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-dacus/) > [In film school, you get skills, but then you get lackey jobs, working on projects that you probably don't care about. And there's something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-dacus/in-film-school-you-get-skills-but-then-you-get-lackey-jobs-working-on/) [Lucy Dacus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-dacus/) > [I think a lot about my obsessive need to document things and what it's going to mean in the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-dacus/i-think-a-lot-about-my-obsessive-need-to-document-things-and-what-it/) [Lucy Dacus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-dacus/) > [I've talked with friends about this: when you write about yourself, that's what people connect to. When you write a sermon or a lesson,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-dacus/i-ve-talked-with-friends-about-this-when-you-write-about-yourself/) [Lucy Dacus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-dacus/) > [I was always writing. I've always been attracted to words and stories, communication.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-dacus/i-was-always-writing-i-ve-always-been-attracted-to-words-and-stories/) [Lucy Dacus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-dacus/) > [I was always taught to be grateful, and so the question came early: What is there to be grateful for? Why is life supposed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-dacus/i-was-always-taught-to-be-grateful-and-so-the-question-came-early/) [Lucy Dacus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-dacus/) > [I really enjoy navigating the business aspect of having a band, and there is a great amount of instinct. You don't wanna work with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-dacus/i-really-enjoy-navigating-the-business-aspect-of-having-a-band-and/) [Lucy Dacus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-dacus/) > [I feel like the expectations have gone up. It's not a complaint, but it's a little intimidating. People are like, 'Oh, you're on Matador.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-dacus/i-feel-like-the-expectations-have-gone-up-it-s-not-a-complaint-but-it/) [Lucy Dacus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-dacus/) > [In middle school, you're figuring out how you're affecting people, and sometimes you're affecting people negatively. And what sucks is that it can affect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-dacus/in-middle-school-you-re-figuring-out-how-you-re-affecting-people-and/) [Lucy Dacus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-dacus/) > [I'm never writing as a character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-dacus/i-m-never-writing-as-a-character/) [Lucy Dacus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-dacus/) > [There is no 'stop' - there's always 'go' on both sides: always keep writing, always keep recording. I don't find them to be segmented…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-dacus/there-is-no-stop-there-s-always-go-on-both-sides-always-keep-writing/) [Lucy Dacus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-dacus/) [Explore all 94 Lucy Dacus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-dacus/) ## More Never quotes > [It's really fun and challenging to build things that have never been built before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-mason/it-s-really-fun-and-challenging-to-build-things-that-have-never-been/) [Hilary Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-mason/) > [Usually male directors have to use foul language to get the job done. But I never came down to that level as being a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divya-khosla-kumar/usually-male-directors-have-to-use-foul-language-to-get-the-job-done/) [Divya Khosla Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divya-khosla-kumar/) > [I met Rajini sir after 'Jigarthanda,' and he said he liked my film. 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I've never even thought about having another job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-farrell/i-guess-i-ve-never-really-wanted-to-be-anything-else-i-ve-never-even/) [Owen Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-farrell/) > [I have fallen in love with American names, the sharp names that never get fat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-vincent-benet/i-have-fallen-in-love-with-american-names-the-sharp-names-that-never/) [Stephen Vincent Benet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-vincent-benet/) > [I don't think my relationship with the idea of womanhood is that attached to giving birth... like, I'm fully aware that I'll never give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-harrison/i-don-t-think-my-relationship-with-the-idea-of-womanhood-is-that/) [Patti Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-harrison/) > [I'm very used to working with first time actors - you can just look back at 'E.T.' with Drew Barrymore, and Christian Bale from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-m-very-used-to-working-with-first-time-actors-you-can-just-look/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [If you’re a person struggling to eat and stay healthy you might have heard about Michael Jordan or Muhammad Ali, but you’ll never have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/if-you-re-a-person-struggling-to-eat-and-stay-healthy-you-might-have/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [I thought I fought a really good Orlando Salido. I never let him get into his fight. 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I think it was a disastrous move for us, because we never reached our peak.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dolmayan/i-never-wanted-system-to-take-a-hiatus-i-think-it-was-a-disastrous/) [John Dolmayan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dolmayan/) Browse all 25,855 Never quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Writing has never been an intentional endeavor to me. 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