Be good Quote by Mandy Stadtmiller
“I would rather not write if I'm depressed, or am going through a breakup, or I've had some disappointment, or I'm having a family issue. You don't want to just put out an open wound. Sometimes that just isn't even really good writing. Good writing should be good writing and storytelling and not just therapy or someone's personal journal.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Writing Advice Podcast, 2022
Writing while emotionally distressed often produces work that feels more therapeutic than artistic, compromising quality and narrative focus.
In simple terms: Writing should serve story, not just personal catharsis.
Key Takeaway
Separate therapy from craft.
Themes
writing
mental health
creativity
Mood
reflective
pragmatic
Type
advice
process
When to use this quote
- author journaling
- creative retreats
- mental health days
- writing workshops
Key Concepts
emotional regulation
authenticity
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you channel pain into narrative without sacrificing story?
- What rituals help you reset before writing?
A Different Perspective
Emotions can still inform depth if managed, not ignored.
![“People don't actually, a lot of times, know the game behind the game. If people think that they do, it's a little bit of a naïve assessment of how the [writing] industry works.” quote by Mandy Stadtmiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/07d/mandy-stadtmiller-63250_assessment_people-don-t-actually-a-lot-of-times-kno_1426707.jpg)
