--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Creativity isn't defined by word count…" description: "\"“Creativity isn't defined by word count, or the number of books one has published. A writer makes a commitment to stretch as far as possible, reaching ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f27/mark-rubinstein-26574_books_creativity-isn-t-defined-by-word-count-o_2598230.png" --- # Creativity isn't defined by word count, or the number of… ![“Creativity isn't defined by word count, or the number of books one has published. A writer makes a commitment to stretch as far as possible, reaching for the music of words.” quote by Mark Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f27/mark-rubinstein-26574_books_creativity-isn-t-defined-by-word-count-o_2598230.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f27/mark-rubinstein-26574_books_creativity-isn-t-defined-by-word-count-o_2598230.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f27/mark-rubinstein-26574_books_creativity-isn-t-defined-by-word-count-o_2598230.png) > ““Creativity isn't defined by word count, or the number of books one has published. A writer makes a commitment to stretch as far as possible, reaching for the music of words.”” [Mark Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rubinstein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Creativity is a commitment to pushing boundaries, not measured by output quantity. **In simple terms:** Commit to stretching creative limits. Key Takeaway Pursue depth over volume in writing. Themes creativity commitment growth expression Mood reflective motivational Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - writing workshops - personal journaling - creative retreats Key Concepts discipline artistry exploration Questions to Reflect On - How will you measure creative growth? - What limits do you set for yourself? A Different Perspective Quantity can mask lack of depth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Creativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity/) [Creativity Isn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity-isn-1423725/) [Published Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/published-writer-1424488/) [Words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writer Makes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer-makes-999712/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“Bootlicking is only a way to get published, not to become a writer”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/himmilicious/bootlicking-is-only-a-way-to-get-published-not-to-become-a-writer/) [Himmilicious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/himmilicious/) > [They believe that if they do get published, a wonderful new life is in store. It will turn out that deep down they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/they-believe-that-if-they-do-get-published-a-wonderful-new-life-is-in/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“I dream that one day I would be a published writer and people would read my books - if not, I would be living…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/srinidhi-r/i-dream-that-one-day-i-would-be-a-published-writer-and-people-would/) [Srinidhi.R](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/srinidhi-r/) > [“To be a writer, you must write. To be a published writer you must finish what you write and then get what you've written…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-h-scithers/to-be-a-writer-you-must-write-to-be-a-published-writer-you-must/) [George H. Scithers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-h-scithers/) > [“Glad to know about all of you who care about books, including or especially poetry. I'm a much published writer/editor of 12 books (medical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carole-spearin-mccauley/glad-to-know-about-all-of-you-who-care-about-books-including-or/) [Carole Spearin McCauley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carole-spearin-mccauley/) > ['Made it as a writer'? I'm still wondering if I've made it as a writer. I've made it as a published writer of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-brown/made-it-as-a-writer-i-m-still-wondering-if-i-ve-made-it-as-a-writer-i/) [Eric Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-brown/) > [Creativity and innovation are something you can’t flowchart out. Some things you can, and we do, and we’re very disciplined in those areas. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/creativity-and-innovation-are-something-you-can-t-flowchart-out-some/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [“I like to remind people that creativity also isn't a spark; it's a slog. 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Sutton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-i-sutton/) > [In the end, creativity isn’t just the things we choose to put in, it’s the things we choose to leave out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-kleon/in-the-end-creativity-isn-t-just-the-things-we-choose-to-put-in-it-s/) [Austin Kleon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-kleon/) > [“Creativity isn't an occupation, it's a preoccupation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-torr/creativity-isn-t-an-occupation-it-s-a-preoccupation/) [Gordon Torr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-torr/) > [The inhibitor of creativity isn't potential it's fear. We worry about saying the wrong thing or looking foolish so we govern our imagination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-linkner/the-inhibitor-of-creativity-isn-t-potential-it-s-fear-we-worry-about/) [Josh Linkner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-linkner/) ## More by Mark Rubinstein > [Why do I love writing? I can be who I want, do what I want, hurt who I want, and make the world over,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rubinstein/why-do-i-love-writing-i-can-be-who-i-want-do-what-i-want-hurt-who-i/) [Mark Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rubinstein/) > [Having a dog or cat will open your heart. Reading a book will open your mind. Having both a pet and a book... absolute…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rubinstein/having-a-dog-or-cat-will-open-your-heart-reading-a-book-will-open/) [Mark Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rubinstein/) > [“The irony of writing is that it's a solitary profession in which the lone writer tries to address universal human concerns.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rubinstein/the-irony-of-writing-is-that-it-s-a-solitary-profession-in-which-the/) [Mark Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rubinstein/) > [“Standing in the corner, leaning aginst the wall, is a fifth man. 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All is distilled in a novel.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rubinstein/a-novel-is-the-final-common-pathway-of-a-writer-s-experiences-fears/) [Mark Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rubinstein/) > [“Don't write for the market or for others. Write what you know, love and above all, write what you would love to read.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rubinstein/don-t-write-for-the-market-or-for-others-write-what-you-know-love-and/) [Mark Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rubinstein/) > [Having both a pet and a book...absolute heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rubinstein/having-both-a-pet-and-a-book-absolute-heaven/) [Mark Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rubinstein/) > [Listening is crucial for any novelist. Stories & ideas abound. We too often talk about ourselves & block out the richness others may offer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rubinstein/listening-is-crucial-for-any-novelist-stories-ideas-abound-we-too/) [Mark Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rubinstein/) > [“A writer should be on a quest to get better and better with each book. May it be a never-ending quest.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rubinstein/a-writer-should-be-on-a-quest-to-get-better-and-better-with-each-book/) [Mark Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rubinstein/) > [“Ir you're a writer, reading is part of your job description. ~ Mark Rubinstein”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rubinstein/ir-you-re-a-writer-reading-is-part-of-your-job-description-mark/) [Mark Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rubinstein/) > [A writer has many tools: eyes, ears, nose, sensations, thoughts feelings and imagination. The tools can construct a house of stories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rubinstein/a-writer-has-many-tools-eyes-ears-nose-sensations-thoughts-feelings/) [Mark Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rubinstein/) > [“Writing a novel creates a window to a new way of looking at the world. Reading one means looking through that window.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rubinstein/writing-a-novel-creates-a-window-to-a-new-way-of-looking-at-the-world/) [Mark Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rubinstein/) > [“A writer's two greatest tools are imagination and perseverance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rubinstein/a-writer-s-two-greatest-tools-are-imagination-and-perseverance/) [Mark Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rubinstein/) [Explore all 20 Mark Rubinstein quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rubinstein/) ## More Books quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep, I could buy a billion locks and finally read a book in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/if-i-had-a-dollar-for-every-time-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-buy-a/) [Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/) > [If what I write is literature, I guess you'd better emphasize the 'litter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-lunch/if-what-i-write-is-literature-i-guess-you-d-better-emphasize-the/) [Lydia Lunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-lunch/) > [My sentences got sharper and my stories more efficient, and I gradually learned to imagine the reader more clearly and to empathize with that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-thompson-walker/my-sentences-got-sharper-and-my-stories-more-efficient-and-i/) [Karen Thompson Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-thompson-walker/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [“Within the pages of books, I've journeyed to Mandalay, the Milky Way and Santa Fe, without once having to leave my armchair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-ansbro/within-the-pages-of-books-i-ve-journeyed-to-mandalay-the-milky-way/) [Kevin Ansbro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-ansbro/) > [The Rosary is the book of the blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/the-rosary-is-the-book-of-the-blind/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [“Tacitus did not write a most dangerous book. His readers made it so.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-k-krebs/tacitus-did-not-write-a-most-dangerous-book-his-readers-made-it-so/) [Christopher K. 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