--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You don't have to be crazy to be a…" description: "\"You don't have to be crazy to be a writer, but it certainly does help\" — Mary Jo Putney" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/623/mary-jo-putney-11309_being-crazy_you-don-t-have-to-be-crazy-to-be-a-write_2302672.jpg" --- # You don't have to be crazy to be a writer, but it… ![“You don't have to be crazy to be a writer, but it certainly does help” quote by Mary Jo Putney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/623/mary-jo-putney-11309_being-crazy_you-don-t-have-to-be-crazy-to-be-a-write_2302672.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/623/mary-jo-putney-11309_being-crazy_you-don-t-have-to-be-crazy-to-be-a-write_2302672.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/623/mary-jo-putney-11309_being-crazy_you-don-t-have-to-be-crazy-to-be-a-write_2302672.jpg) > “You don't have to be crazy to be a writer, but it certainly does help” [Mary Jo Putney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jo-putney/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Being a writer often feels like a form of eccentricity; embracing oddness can fuel creativity. **In simple terms:** Being a writer can be eccentric; oddness helps creativity. Key Takeaway Accept your quirks to boost writing. Themes creativity identity eccentricity Mood playful reflective Type inspirational advice When to use this quote - writing sessions - brainstorming - creative blocks Key Concepts selfexpression authorial voice Questions to Reflect On - Do you use your quirks as a tool? - How does eccentricity affect your work? A Different Perspective Not all writers need to be crazy; discipline matters too. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being crazy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-crazy/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Work certainly does help fill a void.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judi-dench/work-certainly-does-help-fill-a-void/) [Judi Dench](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judi-dench/) > [We all feel that if we have a crazy idea that might get laughed at, there's nothing wrong with seeing if there's a crazy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/we-all-feel-that-if-we-have-a-crazy-idea-that-might-get-laughed-at/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [Jane Austen may not be the best writer, but she certainly writes about the best people. And by that I mean people just like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/jane-austen-may-not-be-the-best-writer-but-she-certainly-writes-about/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [As far as what I do, my value as a writer is certainly not to try to recapitulate a 19th century form. Certain styles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leyner/as-far-as-what-i-do-my-value-as-a-writer-is-certainly-not-to-try-to/) [Mark Leyner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leyner/) > [In the U.K. I'm probably better known as a comedy writer - or certainly that's my background is in writing comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-brooker/in-the-u-k-i-m-probably-better-known-as-a-comedy-writer-or-certainly/) [Charlie Brooker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-brooker/) > [My grandmother certainly does not care for celebrity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prince-william/my-grandmother-certainly-does-not-care-for-celebrity/) [Prince William](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prince-william/) > [While might certainly does not make right, neither does right by itself make might.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/while-might-certainly-does-not-make-right-neither-does-right-by/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [Who doesn't love strawberries? My family certainly does.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayesha-curry/who-doesn-t-love-strawberries-my-family-certainly-does/) [Ayesha Curry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayesha-curry/) > [I like to sing when I have works to do - it does so help.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/opal-whiteley/i-like-to-sing-when-i-have-works-to-do-it-does-so-help/) [Opal Whiteley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/opal-whiteley/) > [I think Spotify really does help. If you're going with the evolution of music these days, it's only becoming more and more popular and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-origliasso/i-think-spotify-really-does-help-if-you-re-going-with-the-evolution/) [Jessica Origliasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-origliasso/) > [Everything a director does must help the story and the performances. Otherwise, it is useless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wyler/everything-a-director-does-must-help-the-story-and-the-performances/) [William Wyler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wyler/) > [One alone does not help, but rather he who unites with many at the right moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/one-alone-does-not-help-but-rather-he-who-unites-with-many-at-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Misfortune does not help us to believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandre-dumas/misfortune-does-not-help-us-to-believe/) [Alexandre Dumas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandre-dumas/) > [Nothing does so much to help those who suffer as to know that somebody cares.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-miller/nothing-does-so-much-to-help-those-who-suffer-as-to-know-that/) [J.R. Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-miller/) > [When certain stars take you under their wing, it does help as they gauge your potential and are willing to work with you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikram-bhatt/when-certain-stars-take-you-under-their-wing-it-does-help-as-they/) [Vikram Bhatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikram-bhatt/) ## More by Mary Jo Putney > [Once you can fake sincerity, you can fake anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jo-putney/once-you-can-fake-sincerity-you-can-fake-anything/) [Mary Jo Putney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jo-putney/) > [“Softly he continued, "You need to ask God for forgiveness. That's His job, isn't it? To forgive imperfect humankind. You are quick to forgive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jo-putney/softly-he-continued-you-need-to-ask-god-for-forgiveness-that-s-his/) [Mary Jo Putney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jo-putney/) > [Like cats and ice cream, showers were among life's simple, uncomplicated pleasures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jo-putney/like-cats-and-ice-cream-showers-were-among-life-s-simple/) [Mary Jo Putney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jo-putney/) > [“Once we begin our journey, it would be appropriate if you show a groveling desire to please your employer.” Juliet raised her eyebrows loftily.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jo-putney/once-we-begin-our-journey-it-would-be-appropriate-if-you-show-a/) [Mary Jo Putney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jo-putney/) > [“The moment was like a tear in the fabric of their love play; underneath, the dark waters of past and future anguish lent poignancy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jo-putney/the-moment-was-like-a-tear-in-the-fabric-of-their-love-play/) [Mary Jo Putney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jo-putney/) > [“Don't need a knife or gun or poison to break a man's heart.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jo-putney/don-t-need-a-knife-or-gun-or-poison-to-break-a-man-s-heart/) [Mary Jo Putney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jo-putney/) > [“But she had never known that a man could want a woman and not take her because he did care. There was something very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jo-putney/but-she-had-never-known-that-a-man-could-want-a-woman-and-not-take/) [Mary Jo Putney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jo-putney/) > [“The only power she wanted over him was the power to make him happy. . . . She wanted them to be equal in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jo-putney/the-only-power-she-wanted-over-him-was-the-power-to-make-him-happy/) [Mary Jo Putney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jo-putney/) > [“Winning her would be like coaxing a butterfly to land on his hand. Patience, gentleness, and perhaps a prayer or two would be required.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jo-putney/winning-her-would-be-like-coaxing-a-butterfly-to-land-on-his-hand/) [Mary Jo Putney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jo-putney/) > [“Things have been going wrong for years. Only desperation could have driven me to seek the aid of a reprobate like you." Seeing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jo-putney/things-have-been-going-wrong-for-years-only-desperation-could-have/) [Mary Jo Putney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jo-putney/) > [“Because you loved, you promised. You must try harder to keep that promise.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jo-putney/because-you-loved-you-promised-you-must-try-harder-to-keep-that/) [Mary Jo Putney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jo-putney/) > [“Lie back and enjoy, Clarissima. Last night was a synopsis. Now it's time for the unabridged version.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jo-putney/lie-back-and-enjoy-clarissima-last-night-was-a-synopsis-now-it-s-time/) [Mary Jo Putney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jo-putney/) > [“Lady Alys, you have dimples,” he said accusingly. Caught, Alys blushed. “I’m sorry, I can’t help it. I think God made a mistake and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jo-putney/lady-alys-you-have-dimples-he-said-accusingly-caught-alys-blushed-i-m/) [Mary Jo Putney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jo-putney/) > [“I’ve been called many things in my life, but never a sacrificial penguin.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jo-putney/i-ve-been-called-many-things-in-my-life-but-never-a-sacrificial/) [Mary Jo Putney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jo-putney/) > [“If he chose, he could help this girl, but what was the point of saving one little whore? It would make no difference to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jo-putney/if-he-chose-he-could-help-this-girl-but-what-was-the-point-of-saving/) [Mary Jo Putney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jo-putney/) [Explore all 57 Mary Jo Putney quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jo-putney/) ## More Being crazy quotes > [3 am phone call..hey you sleep... no I'm skydiving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/3-am-phone-call-hey-you-sleep-no-i-m-skydiving/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Not everyone is capable of madness; and of those lucky enough to be capable, not many have the courage for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/not-everyone-is-capable-of-madness-and-of-those-lucky-enough-to-be/) [August Strindberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-strindberg/) > [Insanity is beautiful, I'm absolutely glad to be crazy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-limn/insanity-is-beautiful-i-m-absolutely-glad-to-be-crazy/) [Jeremy Limn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-limn/) > [If You want to be Awesome, You have to kick all the negative and boring people out of your life and arm yourself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajdeep-sarkar/if-you-want-to-be-awesome-you-have-to-kick-all-the-negative-and/) [Rajdeep Sarkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajdeep-sarkar/) > [Going through unknown people's profiles and judging them by their pictures is totally normal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pradeep-chandra/going-through-unknown-people-s-profiles-and-judging-them-by-their/) Pradeep Chandra > [For me. They all stood up at once. Staring. What?? Dallas laughed. I liked you better in the towel. I roll my eyes but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jade/for-me-they-all-stood-up-at-once-staring-what-dallas-laughed-i-liked/) [Jade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jade/) > [The point is to be free, not to be crazy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tsoknyi-rinpoche/the-point-is-to-be-free-not-to-be-crazy/) [Tsoknyi Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tsoknyi-rinpoche/) > [Let your love drive you mad, mad about life, mad about the smell of Jasmine. Mad about the painting that reminds you of one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-minagar/let-your-love-drive-you-mad-mad-about-life-mad-about-the-smell-of/) [Melody Minagar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-minagar/) > [I Thank God everyday for my crazy friends. Cause they may be psycho but I would be lost without them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylee/i-thank-god-everyday-for-my-crazy-friends-cause-they-may-be-psycho/) [Kylee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylee/) > [I don't mid if people look at me like I'm crazy. I'm just being me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zendaya-coleman/i-don-t-mid-if-people-look-at-me-like-i-m-crazy-i-m-just-being-me/) [Zendaya Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zendaya-coleman/) > [You're crazy. You're impossible.' 'I'm crazy?' He tipped my chin up and planted a quick, rough kiss on my mouth. 'And I must be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becca-fitzpatrick/you-re-crazy-you-re-impossible-i-m-crazy-he-tipped-my-chin-up-and/) [Becca Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becca-fitzpatrick/) > [There is considerable danger that a man will be crazy between dinner and supper; but it will not directly answer any good purposethat I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/there-is-considerable-danger-that-a-man-will-be-crazy-between-dinner/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [When you sleep 2 hours after being awake 22 something is going to be said/spelled/did wrong-today it just so happened to be my name](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jade-dean/when-you-sleep-2-hours-after-being-awake-22-something-is-going-to-be/) [Jade Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jade-dean/) > [Being crazy isn't enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-seuss/being-crazy-isn-t-enough/) [Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-seuss/) > [It's the craziest thing, but I can't stop thinking about you.haha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee/it-s-the-craziest-thing-but-i-can-t-stop-thinking-about-you-haha/) [Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee/) [Browse all 406 Being crazy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-crazy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You don't have to be crazy to be a writer, but it certainly does help", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mary Jo Putney" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jo-putney/you-don-t-have-to-be-crazy-to-be-a-writer-but-it-certainly-does-help/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Being crazy" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jo-putney/you-don-t-have-to-be-crazy-to-be-a-writer-but-it-certainly-does-help/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/623/mary-jo-putney-11309_being-crazy_you-don-t-have-to-be-crazy-to-be-a-write_2302672.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/623/mary-jo-putney-11309_being-crazy_you-don-t-have-to-be-crazy-to-be-a-write_2302672.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/623/mary-jo-putney-11309_being-crazy_you-don-t-have-to-be-crazy-to-be-a-write_2302672.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You don't have to be crazy to be a writer, but it certainly does help” — Mary Jo Putney", "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": "Mary Jo Putney", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jo-putney/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "You don't have to be crazy...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jo-putney/you-don-t-have-to-be-crazy-to-be-a-writer-but-it-certainly-does-help/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jo-putney/you-don-t-have-to-be-crazy-to-be-a-writer-but-it-certainly-does-help/#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 } } ] } ```