Books Quote by Margaret Atwood
““Why do authors wish to pretend they don’t exist? It’s a way of skinning out, of avoiding truth and consequences. They’d like to deny the crime, although their fingerprints are allover the martini glasses, not to mention the hacksaw blade and the victim’s neck. Amnesia, they plead. Epilepsy. Sugar overdose. Demonic possession. How convenient to have an authorial twin, living in your body, looking out through your eyes, pushing pen down on paper or key down on keyboard, while you do what? File your nails? . . . A projection, a mass hallucination, a neurological disorder — call her what you will, but don’t confuse her with me.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 2020
Authors may claim a separate persona to evade responsibility, but the creative act is inseparable from the self.
In simple terms: Writers hide behind a fictional self to dodge accountability.
Key Takeaway
Own your voice; don’t blame a phantom.
Themes
identity
responsibility
creativity
authorship
Mood
introspective
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- public speaking
- writing workshops
- mental health counseling
- literary criticism
- personal branding
Key Concepts
psychology
self‑deception
literary theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What part of your work feels like a separate self?
- How does blaming a “twin” affect accountability?
A Different Perspective
Denial can be a coping mechanism, not just evasion.
