Changed Quote by Madeleine L'Engle
“I got so discouraged, I almost stopped writing. It was my 12-year-old son who changed my mind when he said to me, "Mother, you've been very cross and edgy with us and we notice you haven't been writing. We wish you'd go back to the typewriter. That did a lot of good for my false guilts about spending so much time writing. At that point, I acknowledged that I am a writer and even if I were never published again, that's what I am."”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Paris Review, 1990
A mother’s self‑doubt about writing was alleviated when her son reminded her of her identity as a writer, reinforcing that personal worth isn’t tied to external success.
In simple terms: A son’s reminder restored a mother’s confidence in her writer identity despite setbacks.
Key Takeaway
Embrace your core identity regardless of external validation.
Themes
self‑esteem
identity
creativity
parenting
confidence
Mood
introspective
encouraging
Type
personal
motivational
When to use this quote
- writing practice
- parent‑child dialogue
- self‑affirmation
- career resilience
Key Concepts
self‑concept
intrinsic motivation
creative block
Questions to Reflect On
- What does being a writer mean to you beyond publishing?
- How can you nurture creative identity during doubt?
A Different Perspective
May overlook practical steps to improve craft; internal focus can ignore market realities.
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
