Life Quote by Lucy Maud Montgomery
““Tell me this--if you knew you would be poor as a church mouse all your life--if you knew you'd never have a line published--would you still go on writing-- would you?' 'Of course I would,' said Emily disdainfully. 'Why, I have to write--I can't help it at times--I've just got to.””
About This Quote
A writer's compulsion to create persists despite certainty of poverty and obscurity, driven by an inner need beyond external reward.
In simple terms: Intrinsic drive to write outweighs material concerns.
Key Takeaway
Passion overrides fear of failure.
Themes
creativity
perseverance
artistic integrity
self-expression
motivation
Mood
determined
defiant
reflective
Type
dialogue
philosophical
When to use this quote
- facing financial hardship
- lacking recognition
- choosing a creative career
- overcoming self-doubt
Key Concepts
intrinsic motivation
artist's compulsion
Practical Applications
- writing as personal catharsis
- pursuing art despite market odds
Questions to Reflect On
- What would you write if success were irrelevant?
- How does inner compulsion shape your creative choices?
![“If I knew what I was thinking [...] I would never have become a writer.” quote by Amélie Nothomb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6f1/amelie-nothomb-1581_writer_if-i-knew-what-i-was-thinking-i-would-ne_267765.jpg)
