--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You're writing like a freshman.' And he…" description: "\"“You're writing like a freshman.' And he replied- I remember this very distinctly: 'We always look for doctors but sometimes we're lucky to find a fros..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/432/mark-z-danielewski-2497_freshman_you-re-writing-like-a-freshman-and-he-re_658847.png" --- # You're writing like a freshman.' And he replied- I… ![“You're writing like a freshman.' And he replied- I remember this very distinctly: 'We always look for doctors but sometimes we're lucky to find a frosh.” quote by Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/432/mark-z-danielewski-2497_freshman_you-re-writing-like-a-freshman-and-he-re_658847.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/432/mark-z-danielewski-2497_freshman_you-re-writing-like-a-freshman-and-he-re_658847.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/432/mark-z-danielewski-2497_freshman_you-re-writing-like-a-freshman-and-he-re_658847.png) > ““You're writing like a freshman.' And he replied- I remember this very distinctly: 'We always look for doctors but sometimes we're lucky to find a frosh.”” [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A humorous analogy comparing the search for expertise to finding a freshman, highlighting unexpected sources of insight. **In simple terms:** Expertise can come from unlikely places. Key Takeaway Seek fresh perspectives. Themes humor learning unexpectedness Mood playful thoughtful Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - academic research - creative writing - problem solving Key Concepts analogy serendipity Questions to Reflect On - What value do novices bring? - How can you recognize hidden expertise? A Different Perspective Freshmen may lack depth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Freshman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freshman/) [Medicine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/medicine/) ## Related quotes > [I've always done the safest thing, which is to assume that it's going to feel like that, to assume that you're going to feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janina-gavankar/i-ve-always-done-the-safest-thing-which-is-to-assume-that-it-s-going/) [Janina Gavankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janina-gavankar/) > [“She smiled at him like a freshman invited to the senior prom. It made my blood boil.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-ramirez/she-smiled-at-him-like-a-freshman-invited-to-the-senior-prom-it-made/) [Steven Ramirez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-ramirez/) > [Probably from, like, my freshman year of high school, I had this desire to perform and also be involved in the show business industry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-a-r-white/probably-from-like-my-freshman-year-of-high-school-i-had-this-desire/) [David A. R. White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-a-r-white/) > [I don't understand the feeling of, the way people speak of writing as though it were, like, some kind of djinn to be summoned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-fraction/i-don-t-understand-the-feeling-of-the-way-people-speak-of-writing-as/) [Matt Fraction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-fraction/) > [Writing is like the life of a glacier; one eternal grind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/writing-is-like-the-life-of-a-glacier-one-eternal-grind/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [The only certainty about writing and trying to be a writer is that it has to be done, not dreamed of or planned and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-frame/the-only-certainty-about-writing-and-trying-to-be-a-writer-is-that-it/) [Janet Frame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-frame/) > [“Writing is like pulling teeth out of your penis.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/writing-is-like-pulling-teeth-out-of-your-penis/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [“Writing is like a charcoal painting, a black and white story”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-mcdonald/writing-is-like-a-charcoal-painting-a-black-and-white-story/) Dave McDonald > [Writing is like a sport. If you don't practice, you don't get any better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/writing-is-like-a-sport-if-you-don-t-practice-you-don-t-get-any-better/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Writing lyrics is part spontaneous, intuitive and part really thought through and carefully analyzed as you write it. It's a mixture of two approaches,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-anderson/writing-lyrics-is-part-spontaneous-intuitive-and-part-really-thought/) [Ian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-anderson/) > [Writing is like bricklaying; you put down one word after another. Sometimes the wall goes up straight and true and sometimes it doesn't and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-brooks/writing-is-like-bricklaying-you-put-down-one-word-after-another/) [Geraldine Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-brooks/) > [Writing is like a mental masturbation to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/writing-is-like-a-mental-masturbation-to-me/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Writing is like a relationship. When it is good, it is damn good; when it is bad, you contemplate murder.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nevea-lane/writing-is-like-a-relationship-when-it-is-good-it-is-damn-good-when/) Nevea Lane > [writing, like living, is lonely work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blanche-willis-howard/writing-like-living-is-lonely-work/) [Blanche Willis Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blanche-willis-howard/) > [For me writing is like breathing. I could not live without breathing and I could not live without writing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-neruda/for-me-writing-is-like-breathing-i-could-not-live-without-breathing/) [Pablo Neruda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-neruda/) ## More by Mark Z. Danielewski > [“Her. Her. Her. Future breezes implore me to stay. But I'm no future. I'm no past. Only ever contemporary of this path. I'll sacrifice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/her-her-her-future-breezes-implore-me-to-stay-but-i-m-no-future-i-m/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) > [Keep true to the rare music in your heart, to the marvelous and unique form that is and shall always be nothing else but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/keep-true-to-the-rare-music-in-your-heart-to-the-marvelous-and-unique/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) > [We all create stories to protect ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/we-all-create-stories-to-protect-ourselves/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) > [“Even up until these final eons of time, we felt we could create anything. We could build ourselves a heaven. But why? We were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/even-up-until-these-final-eons-of-time-we-felt-we-could-create/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) > [I'm a big believer in big books, and that doesn't necessarily mean long books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/i-m-a-big-believer-in-big-books-and-that-doesn-t-necessarily-mean/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) > [“the seriousness of emotional deprivation: It is not difficult to understand how children who have suffered from malnutrition or starvation need food and plenty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/the-seriousness-of-emotional-deprivation-it-is-not-difficult-to/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) > [The greatest of love letters are always coded for the one and not the many.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/the-greatest-of-love-letters-are-always-coded-for-the-one-and-not-the/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) > [Scientists estimate the universe unfolded from its state of infinite destiny\* - a moment commonly referred to as "the big bang" - approximately 1.3-2…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/scientists-estimate-the-universe-unfolded-from-its-state-of-infinite/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) > [“- Whenever we roam be beside me. When you're allone. When you go. When no one comes along. And for all we Wander. Encounter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/whenever-we-roam-be-beside-me-when-you-re-allone-when-you-go-when-no/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) > [I want something else. I'm not even sure what to call it anymore except I know it feels roomy and it's drenched in sunlight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/i-want-something-else-i-m-not-even-sure-what-to-call-it-anymore/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) > [“However, The haven-Slocum Theory also points out that this course is not without risk. An even greater number of people dwelling on The Navidson…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/however-the-haven-slocum-theory-also-points-out-that-this-course-is/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) > [“What can I say? I'm taken; I love how enthralled she remains by this festival of living.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/what-can-i-say-i-m-taken-i-love-how-enthralled-she-remains-by-this/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) > [“There's only one choice now: finish what Zampanò himself failed to finish. Re-inter this thing in a binding tomb. Make it only a book.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/there-s-only-one-choice-now-finish-what-zampan-himself-failed-to/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) > [No gunfire, famine, or flies. Just lots of toothpaste, gardening and people stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/no-gunfire-famine-or-flies-just-lots-of-toothpaste-gardening-and/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) > ['Lord of the Rings' was a set of books in which the world had been conceived before the characters were placed within that context.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/lord-of-the-rings-was-a-set-of-books-in-which-the-world-had-been/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) [Explore all 162 Mark Z. Danielewski quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) ## More Freshman quotes > [My first concert ever was my freshman year of high school, at Blossom, and it was Lil Wayne and Young Money. It was wild.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-nance-jr/my-first-concert-ever-was-my-freshman-year-of-high-school-at-blossom/) [Larry Nance, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-nance-jr/) > [As an overly confident college freshman, the first time I received a below-average score on an exam was a needed wake-up call.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-coontz/as-an-overly-confident-college-freshman-the-first-time-i-received-a/) [Stephanie Coontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-coontz/) > [I regret not taking school seriously my freshman year](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-regret-not-taking-school-seriously-my-freshman-year/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My freshman and sophomore years in high school, I spent a lot of time trying to get back on the right track. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-johnson/my-freshman-and-sophomore-years-in-high-school-i-spent-a-lot-of-time/) [Dwayne Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-johnson/) > [In my freshman year of high school, I don't think I had a single date. I was really shy, really timid and quiet. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-guerrero/in-my-freshman-year-of-high-school-i-don-t-think-i-had-a-single-date/) [Eddie Guerrero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-guerrero/) > [“Last year I kissed this freshman girl at a pool party and she wouldn’t get off my nuts for six months. Which is why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-barnholdt/last-year-i-kissed-this-freshman-girl-at-a-pool-party-and-she-wouldn/) [Lauren Barnholdt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-barnholdt/) > [The best thing about freshmen is that they become sophomores.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-mcguire/the-best-thing-about-freshmen-is-that-they-become-sophomores/) [Al McGuire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-mcguire/) > [I fell in love with Erica Kane the summer before my freshman year of high school. Like all red-blooded teen American boys, I'd come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-cohen/i-fell-in-love-with-erica-kane-the-summer-before-my-freshman-year-of/) [Andy Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-cohen/) > [That's how it was for me in college as well - guys were seniors and I was a redshirt freshman and I had to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-evans/that-s-how-it-was-for-me-in-college-as-well-guys-were-seniors-and-i/) [Mike Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-evans/) > [It was my freshman year. I was living across the hall from a girl named Kasey Klepper, whose brother, Jordan Klepper, used to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-yeun/it-was-my-freshman-year-i-was-living-across-the-hall-from-a-girl/) [Steven Yeun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-yeun/) > [As a college freshman with an on-campus job, I was delivering paperwork to the engineering department one day. There, I encountered two department assistants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-johnson/as-a-college-freshman-with-an-on-campus-job-i-was-delivering/) [Peggy Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-johnson/) > [Congratulations on finding out where you'll be gaining 15 pounds as a freshman next year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/congratulations-on-finding-out-where-you-ll-be-gaining-15-pounds-as-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We shall use the terms morality, behavior, conduct, or constructive action in the same broad way. It may sound strange to speak of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-patten/we-shall-use-the-terms-morality-behavior-conduct-or-constructive/) William Patten > [“I heard Coach Downs never started freshman," he told us. "Well that's not how it is with me. I play the best players, period.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-deuker/i-heard-coach-downs-never-started-freshman-he-told-us-well-that-s-not/) [Carl Deuker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-deuker/) > [I remember when I was a freshman in college, I was still somewhat bothered by... worried... about religion. I remember going to this professor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-f-skinner/i-remember-when-i-was-a-freshman-in-college-i-was-still-somewhat/) [B. F. Skinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-f-skinner/) [Browse all 286 Freshman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freshman/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“You're writing like a freshman.' And he replied- I remember this very distinctly: 'We always look for doctors but sometimes we're lucky to find a frosh.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mark Z. 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