--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You have to stop living in order to write." description: "\"You have to stop living in order to write.\" — Martha Gellhorn" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/104/martha-gellhorn-8061_life_you-have-to-stop-living-in-order-to-writ_1234198.jpg" --- # You have to stop living in order to write. ![“You have to stop living in order to write.” quote by Martha Gellhorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/104/martha-gellhorn-8061_life_you-have-to-stop-living-in-order-to-writ_1234198.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/104/martha-gellhorn-8061_life_you-have-to-stop-living-in-order-to-writ_1234198.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/104/martha-gellhorn-8061_life_you-have-to-stop-living-in-order-to-writ_1234198.jpg) > “You have to stop living in order to write.” [Martha Gellhorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-gellhorn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writing requires stepping away from everyday life to observe and reflect, implying sacrifice of routine. **In simple terms:** Live apart to write. Key Takeaway Create space for observation and creativity. Themes creativity writing observation detachment sacrifice Mood contemplative reflective Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - writing retreats - travel - solitude - creative blocks Key Concepts mindfulness artistic process Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance immersion and detachment? - What experiences enrich your writing? A Different Perspective Detachment may lead to isolation or loss of real-world relevance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I have to have something that really excites me in order to write about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-prine/i-have-to-have-something-that-really-excites-me-in-order-to-write/) [John Prine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-prine/) > [You have to write badly in order to write well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-faulkner/you-have-to-write-badly-in-order-to-write-well/) [William Faulkner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-faulkner/) > [“It is better to write in order to find what you are than to write to find what price others put on you!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-kemp/it-is-better-to-write-in-order-to-find-what-you-are-than-to-write-to/) [Daniel Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-kemp/) > [In order to write about life first you must live it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/in-order-to-write-about-life-first-you-must-live-it/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [You have to live in order to have something to write about - you get caught up in moviemaking and celebrities and money, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-patrick-shanley/you-have-to-live-in-order-to-have-something-to-write-about-you-get/) [John Patrick Shanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-patrick-shanley/) > [Read in order to write, but paint in order to paint.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-genn/read-in-order-to-write-but-paint-in-order-to-paint/) [Sara Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-genn/) > [Nothing can stop us from living the dream except our selves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spido/nothing-can-stop-us-from-living-the-dream-except-our-selves/) Spido > [“Stop living condemned. If you're feeling defeated it's time to reevaluate your purpose, vision, mission and values. Don't be down on yourself, your best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stop-living-condemned-if-you-re-feeling-defeated-it-s-time-to/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [“Stop living for compensation but begin to cultivate your own ground.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/stop-living-for-compensation-but-begin-to-cultivate-your-own-ground/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [Stop living in the future. Every time you think someday or when I have time I will, stop. Ask yourself, Why not now? Think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/stop-living-in-the-future-every-time-you-think-someday-or-when-i-have/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Don't be afraid to experiment. Stop living under laws. If it looks or sounds good to you stick with it. There is no true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anette-sandberg/don-t-be-afraid-to-experiment-stop-living-under-laws-if-it-looks-or/) [Anette Sandberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anette-sandberg/) > [Were only here for a short time so live it up and drink it down, exhale the bullshit and inhale the good shit,. Live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mee/were-only-here-for-a-short-time-so-live-it-up-and-drink-it-down/) [Mee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mee/) > [Stop living within the limitations of what people think you are and never look back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/stop-living-within-the-limitations-of-what-people-think-you-are-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Stop living in the past and dwelling on mistakes. We’ve all made them. And now we’re all trying to heal. It’ll take a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-beck/stop-living-in-the-past-and-dwelling-on-mistakes-we-ve-all-made-them/) [Jamie Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-beck/) > [Stop living your life trying to please everyone, please God and let the chips fall where they may!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/stop-living-your-life-trying-to-please-everyone-please-god-and-let/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Martha Gellhorn > [Nothing is better for self-esteem than survival.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-gellhorn/nothing-is-better-for-self-esteem-than-survival/) [Martha Gellhorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-gellhorn/) > [All politicians are bores and liars and fakes. I talk to people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-gellhorn/all-politicians-are-bores-and-liars-and-fakes-i-talk-to-people/) [Martha Gellhorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-gellhorn/) > [“This was not the velvet embracing desert sky at El Geneina; this was infinite space. The idea of no boundaries, no end, is terrifying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-gellhorn/this-was-not-the-velvet-embracing-desert-sky-at-el-geneina-this-was/) [Martha Gellhorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-gellhorn/) > [I do not see myself as a footnote to someone else's life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-gellhorn/i-do-not-see-myself-as-a-footnote-to-someone-else-s-life/) [Martha Gellhorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-gellhorn/) > [the English don't go in for imagination: imagination is considered to be improper if not downright alarmist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-gellhorn/the-english-don-t-go-in-for-imagination-imagination-is-considered-to/) [Martha Gellhorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-gellhorn/) > [My definition of what makes a journey wholly or partially horrible is boredom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-gellhorn/my-definition-of-what-makes-a-journey-wholly-or-partially-horrible-is/) [Martha Gellhorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-gellhorn/) > [Joseph McCarthy, the Junior Republican Senator from Wisconsin, ruled America like devil king for four years. His purges were an American mirror image of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-gellhorn/joseph-mccarthy-the-junior-republican-senator-from-wisconsin-ruled/) [Martha Gellhorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-gellhorn/) > [Public opinion, though slow as lava, in the end forces governments towards more sanity, more justice. My heroes and heroines are all private citizens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-gellhorn/public-opinion-though-slow-as-lava-in-the-end-forces-governments/) [Martha Gellhorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-gellhorn/) > [I daresay I was the worst bed partner in five continents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-gellhorn/i-daresay-i-was-the-worst-bed-partner-in-five-continents/) [Martha Gellhorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-gellhorn/) > [Once you get a tyranny, you don't easily get rid of it. Much better to remember about eternal vigilance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-gellhorn/once-you-get-a-tyranny-you-don-t-easily-get-rid-of-it-much-better-to/) [Martha Gellhorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-gellhorn/) > [In the last camp they all ate grass, until the authorities forbade them to pull it up. They were accustomed to having the fruits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-gellhorn/in-the-last-camp-they-all-ate-grass-until-the-authorities-forbade/) [Martha Gellhorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-gellhorn/) > [Citizenship is a tough occupation which obliges the citizen to make his own informed opinion and stand by it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-gellhorn/citizenship-is-a-tough-occupation-which-obliges-the-citizen-to-make/) [Martha Gellhorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-gellhorn/) > [Americans did not acquire their fear neurosis as the result of a traumatic experience - war devasting their country, pestilence sweeping the land, famine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-gellhorn/americans-did-not-acquire-their-fear-neurosis-as-the-result-of-a/) [Martha Gellhorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-gellhorn/) > [From the earliest wars of men to our last heart-breaking worldwide effort, all we could do was kill ourselves. Now we are able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-gellhorn/from-the-earliest-wars-of-men-to-our-last-heart-breaking-worldwide/) [Martha Gellhorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-gellhorn/) > [Why do people talk of the horrors of old age? It's great. I feel like a fine old car with the parts gradually wearing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-gellhorn/why-do-people-talk-of-the-horrors-of-old-age-it-s-great-i-feel-like-a/) [Martha Gellhorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-gellhorn/) [Explore all 84 Martha Gellhorn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-gellhorn/) ## More Life quotes > [Of all the people who have affected my life and influenced the choices I've made, none has been more important than my father. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-atlas/of-all-the-people-who-have-affected-my-life-and-influenced-the/) [Teddy Atlas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-atlas/) > [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. By suppressing differences and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/what-sets-worlds-in-motion-is-the-interplay-of-differences-their/) [Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life works most perfectly when a reciprocal love relationship is in place between man and God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/life-works-most-perfectly-when-a-reciprocal-love-relationship-is-in/) [Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/) > [I value the experiences that come with life too much to sit by and not put my full effort into them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-miller/i-value-the-experiences-that-come-with-life-too-much-to-sit-by-and/) [Jim Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-miller/) > [Entertainment is a sacred pursuit when done well. When done well, it raises the quality of human life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/entertainment-is-a-sacred-pursuit-when-done-well-when-done-well-it/) [Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/) > [“There's more to life than you can see. Your sight is limited.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammy-kling/there-s-more-to-life-than-you-can-see-your-sight-is-limited/) [Tammy Kling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammy-kling/) > [“I've spent much of my life calling my intuition "something wrong with me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deanna-l-lawlis/i-ve-spent-much-of-my-life-calling-my-intuition-something-wrong-with/) Deanna L. Lawlis > [When you do things they're absolutely right at that time for you and it can always teach you something about yourself. You can take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kym-marsh/when-you-do-things-they-re-absolutely-right-at-that-time-for-you-and/) [Kym Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kym-marsh/) > [The only people who think the Internet is a calamity are people whose lives have been hurt by it; the only people who insist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-klosterman/the-only-people-who-think-the-internet-is-a-calamity-are-people-whose/) [Chuck Klosterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-klosterman/) > [The one thing that I keep learning over and over again is that I don't know nothing. I mean, that's my life lesson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-johnson/the-one-thing-that-i-keep-learning-over-and-over-again-is-that-i-don/) [Dwayne Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-johnson/) > [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The future is only an indifferent void no one cares about, but the past is filled with life, and its countenance is irritating, repellent,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/the-future-is-only-an-indifferent-void-no-one-cares-about-but-the/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [Two things revolutionised life: moving to the countryside and falling in love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-love/two-things-revolutionised-life-moving-to-the-countryside-and-falling/) [Nick Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-love/) > [But just remember, life without me would be even more unbearable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-rice/but-just-remember-life-without-me-would-be-even-more-unbearable/) [Anne Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-rice/) [Browse all 265,290 Life quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You have to stop living in order to write.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Martha Gellhorn" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-gellhorn/you-have-to-stop-living-in-order-to-write/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Life" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-gellhorn/you-have-to-stop-living-in-order-to-write/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/104/martha-gellhorn-8061_life_you-have-to-stop-living-in-order-to-writ_1234198.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/104/martha-gellhorn-8061_life_you-have-to-stop-living-in-order-to-writ_1234198.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/104/martha-gellhorn-8061_life_you-have-to-stop-living-in-order-to-writ_1234198.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You have to stop living in order to write.” — Martha Gellhorn", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Martha Gellhorn", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-gellhorn/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "You have to stop living in...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-gellhorn/you-have-to-stop-living-in-order-to-write/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-gellhorn/you-have-to-stop-living-in-order-to-write/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```