--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When people asked me what I was going to…" description: "\"When people asked me what I was going to do when I grow up, I always said, 'I'm going to be a writer. I'm going to write screenplays. I'm going to writ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/373/mara-wilson-4981_always_when-people-asked-me-what-i-was-going-to_638559.jpg" --- # When people asked me what I was going to do when I grow… ![“When people asked me what I was going to do when I grow up, I always said, 'I'm going to be a writer. I'm going to write screenplays. I'm going to write books. I'm going to write plays. That's what I'm going to do.'” quote by Mara Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/373/mara-wilson-4981_always_when-people-asked-me-what-i-was-going-to_638559.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/373/mara-wilson-4981_always_when-people-asked-me-what-i-was-going-to_638559.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/373/mara-wilson-4981_always_when-people-asked-me-what-i-was-going-to_638559.jpg) > “When people asked me what I was going to do when I grow up, I always said, 'I'm going to be a writer. I'm going to write screenplays. I'm going to write books. I'm going to write plays. That's what I'm going to do.'” [Mara Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-wilson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She expresses a childhood certainty about becoming a writer across multiple formats, highlighting ambition and identity formation. **In simple terms:** She was determined to be a writer in many forms. Key Takeaway Embrace your creative aspirations early. Themes ambition identity creativity Mood hopeful determined Type personal inspirational When to use this quote - writing workshops - school projects - career planning - personal branding Key Concepts career development self‑concept artistic expression Questions to Reflect On - What creative goals have you set for yourself? - How do you adapt ambitions as you grow? A Different Perspective Early certainty may later clash with practical realities and evolving interests. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Movie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movie/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Plays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plays/) [Screenplays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/screenplays/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I found it was my good fortune to somehow be able to work in these forms that I loved when I was a kid.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-feiffer/i-found-it-was-my-good-fortune-to-somehow-be-able-to-work-in-these/) [Jules Feiffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-feiffer/) > [I don't want to write any more screenplays, I'll tell you that right now. It's a waste of time. You've got too many people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/i-don-t-want-to-write-any-more-screenplays-i-ll-tell-you-that-right/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [I think I would like to write screenplays, books, really anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kara-hayward/i-think-i-would-like-to-write-screenplays-books-really-anything/) [Kara Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kara-hayward/) > [Most film directors do not come up with their own subjects or write their own screenplays.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-harrison/most-film-directors-do-not-come-up-with-their-own-subjects-or-write/) [Thomas Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-harrison/) > [I write screenplays in the middle of the night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/i-write-screenplays-in-the-middle-of-the-night/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [Being known as a writer did change the relationships I had with directors. The rap on actors is that they always want to inflate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/being-known-as-a-writer-did-change-the-relationships-i-had-with/) [Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/) > [I do not think I will ever write screenplays based on my books. I would not know what to cut out and what portions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-subramanian/i-do-not-think-i-will-ever-write-screenplays-based-on-my-books-i/) [Ravi Subramanian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-subramanian/) > [I don't assume, because I can write screenplays, that I know how to write a novel. It's a very different world. There's a craft…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-rosenberg/i-don-t-assume-because-i-can-write-screenplays-that-i-know-how-to/) [Melissa Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-rosenberg/) > [I don't read books on how to write screenplays just because I'm stubborn. 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Here's another who's never going to write well again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-russo/when-authors-who-write-literary-fiction-begin-to-write-screenplays/) [Richard Russo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-russo/) > [I actually think I'm probably more interested in structure than most people who write screenplays, because I think about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-actually-think-i-m-probably-more-interested-in-structure-than-most/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [It's really hard to write a screenplay, it's nauseating. All those great writers that tried to write screenplays, they couldn't do it, most of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hampton-fancher/it-s-really-hard-to-write-a-screenplay-it-s-nauseating-all-those/) [Hampton Fancher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hampton-fancher/) > [Although I write screenplays, I don't think I'm a very good writer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-lucas/although-i-write-screenplays-i-don-t-think-i-m-a-very-good-writer/) [George Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-lucas/) ## More by Mara Wilson > [I remember reading To Kill A Mockingbird when I was 12. What I liked about it is that it was all seen through a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-wilson/i-remember-reading-to-kill-a-mockingbird-when-i-was-12-what-i-liked/) [Mara Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-wilson/) > [“Depriving myself of joys is one of the great joys of my subconscious.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-wilson/depriving-myself-of-joys-is-one-of-the-great-joys-of-my-subconscious/) [Mara Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-wilson/) > [I'm pretty cautious and not very athletic, so I've only had really dumb injuries, like sprained ankles and allergic reactions. I did have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-wilson/i-m-pretty-cautious-and-not-very-athletic-so-i-ve-only-had-really/) [Mara Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-wilson/) > [“People may have to die, but morbidity will live forever.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-wilson/people-may-have-to-die-but-morbidity-will-live-forever/) [Mara Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-wilson/) > [I think that when I was child, acting was mostly just a hobby for me. It was something that my parents encouraged me to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-wilson/i-think-that-when-i-was-child-acting-was-mostly-just-a-hobby-for-me/) [Mara Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-wilson/) > [I get a lot of "Shut up, Matilda." I probably get as many "Shut up, Matildas" as Wil Wheaton gets "Shut up, Wesleys." 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So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-wilson/children-all-over-the-world-do-ridiculous-borderline-dangerous-things/) [Mara Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-wilson/) > [I've always really loved stories told from the point of view of children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-wilson/i-ve-always-really-loved-stories-told-from-the-point-of-view-of/) [Mara Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-wilson/) > [ For me \[being a kid actor\], it's a bit like when you see your mom's friends, and they're like, "I remember when you were… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-wilson/for-me-being-a-kid-actor-it-s-a-bit-like-when-you-see-your-mom-s/) [Mara Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-wilson/) > [ I'm surprised by how much I remember \[on childhood on film\]. I think it's just because I had these interesting moments. Of course, you… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-wilson/i-m-surprised-by-how-much-i-remember-on-childhood-on-film-i-think-it/) [Mara Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-wilson/) > [Assume everything you put on the Internet can and will be seen not only by the person you're talking about, but your future romantic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-wilson/assume-everything-you-put-on-the-internet-can-and-will-be-seen-not/) [Mara Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-wilson/) > ['Mrs. Doubtfire' is still a fun movie, and it's still fun to watch, but it is hard to watch myself sometimes. I get very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-wilson/mrs-doubtfire-is-still-a-fun-movie-and-it-s-still-fun-to-watch-but-it/) [Mara Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-wilson/) > [I would like people to know me for who I am, especially since I think people have a very skewed image of me. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-wilson/i-would-like-people-to-know-me-for-who-i-am-especially-since-i-think/) [Mara Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-wilson/) > [No, you will never see me on 'Dancing With the Stars.' Sorry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-wilson/no-you-will-never-see-me-on-dancing-with-the-stars-sorry/) [Mara Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-wilson/) [Explore all 104 Mara Wilson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-wilson/) ## More Always quotes > [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/) [Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/) > [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) Browse all 36,048 Always quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When people asked me what I was going to do when I grow up, I always said, 'I'm going to be a writer. 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