---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To write about someone like myself would…"
description: "\"To write about someone like myself would be very limiting.\" — Michael Ondaatje"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/592/michael-ondaatje-940_like_to-write-about-someone-like-myself-would_2208353.png"
---

#  To write about someone like myself would be very limiting.

![“To write about someone like myself would be very limiting.” quote by Michael Ondaatje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/592/michael-ondaatje-940_like_to-write-about-someone-like-myself-would_2208353.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/592/michael-ondaatje-940_like_to-write-about-someone-like-myself-would_2208353.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/592/michael-ondaatje-940_like_to-write-about-someone-like-myself-would_2208353.png)

> “To write about someone like myself would be very limiting.”

[Michael Ondaatje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ondaatje/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Writing about oneself limits perspective and depth.

**In simple terms:** Self‑writing limits depth.

Key Takeaway

Seek broader perspectives.

Themes

self‑reflection limitation creativity

Mood

analytical thoughtful

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

- memoir writing
- fiction workshops
- collaborative projects

Key Concepts

narrative theory identity exploration

Questions to Reflect On

- When is self‑focus beneficial?
- How can you balance self and other?

A Different Perspective

Self‑focus can also yield deep insight.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like/) [Like Limiting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-limiting-4879333/) [Limiting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/limiting/) [Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/write/) [Write Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/write-like/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/)

## Related quotes

> [And sometimes I sit down to write, because that is what I like to do more and more in the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-brandis/and-sometimes-i-sit-down-to-write-because-that-is-what-i-like-to-do/)

[Jonathan Brandis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-brandis/)

> [“Write whatever you like. If you haven't the facts, substitute lyricism.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/write-whatever-you-like-if-you-haven-t-the-facts-substitute-lyricism/)

[Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/)

> [“Write like you are the last person on earth; like no one will ever read your story. Tell the story YOU want to read!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giuseppe-bianco/write-like-you-are-the-last-person-on-earth-like-no-one-will-ever/)

[Giuseppe Bianco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giuseppe-bianco/)

> [Trying to write is very much like trying to put a Chinese puzzle together. We have a pattern in mind which we wish to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/trying-to-write-is-very-much-like-trying-to-put-a-chinese-puzzle/)

[Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/)

> [I write like a two-year-old, and I can't spell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-redknapp/i-write-like-a-two-year-old-and-i-can-t-spell/)

[Harry Redknapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-redknapp/)

> [That's what it feels like when I write, like I have this beautiful world in my head, but when I try to remember it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-ozeki/that-s-what-it-feels-like-when-i-write-like-i-have-this-beautiful/)

[Ruth Ozeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-ozeki/)

> [I write because I like to write. I find joy in the texture and tone and rhythm of words. It is a satisfaction like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-write-because-i-like-to-write-i-find-joy-in-the-texture-and-tone/)

[John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/)

> [It's easier for me to write certain character types because of my own life experiences, but I find it too artistically limiting to only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-weeks/it-s-easier-for-me-to-write-certain-character-types-because-of-my-own/)

[Brent Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-weeks/)

> [“Writers write like readers and read like writers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-hamilton/writers-write-like-readers-and-read-like-writers/)

[Laura Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-hamilton/)

> [I always write to the moment. I've always been that kind of emcee. I don't wanna come in with all the paperwork and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raekwon/i-always-write-to-the-moment-i-ve-always-been-that-kind-of-emcee-i/)

[Raekwon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raekwon/)

> [Since then, I have just read and read - but, that said, I suppose there is a raft of writers to whom I return…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penelope-lively/since-then-i-have-just-read-and-read-but-that-said-i-suppose-there-is/)

[Penelope Lively](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penelope-lively/)

> [But I love to write music. What I would love to do is give some of the songs I write to someone like Taylor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keegan-allen/but-i-love-to-write-music-what-i-would-love-to-do-is-give-some-of-the/)

[Keegan Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keegan-allen/)

> [Write what you like, then imbue it with life and make it unique by blending in your own personal knowledge of life, friendship, relationships,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/write-what-you-like-then-imbue-it-with-life-and-make-it-unique-by/)

[Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/)

> [“If the world could write itself, it would write like Tolstoy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-babel/if-the-world-could-write-itself-it-would-write-like-tolstoy/)

[Isaac Babel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-babel/)

> [“Write like you can forget, write and forget. Hold an entire world in your palm then puff. Pierluigi Cappello”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudia-serrano/write-like-you-can-forget-write-and-forget-hold-an-entire-world-in/)

[Claudia Serrano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-serrano/)

## More by Michael Ondaatje

> [“In spite of this, our table's status on the Oronsay continued to be minimal, while those at the Captain's Table were constantly toasting to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ondaatje/in-spite-of-this-our-table-s-status-on-the-oronsay-continued-to-be/)

[Michael Ondaatje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ondaatje/)

> [He will hear the rain before he feels it, a clicking on the dry grass, on the olive leaves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ondaatje/he-will-hear-the-rain-before-he-feels-it-a-clicking-on-the-dry-grass/)

[Michael Ondaatje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ondaatje/)

> [“Whenever her father was alone with a dog in a house he would lean over and smell the skin at the base of its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ondaatje/whenever-her-father-was-alone-with-a-dog-in-a-house-he-would-lean/)

[Michael Ondaatje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ondaatje/)

> [“...those who had risked everything at a riverbend on a left turn and so discovered a fortune.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ondaatje/those-who-had-risked-everything-at-a-riverbend-on-a-left-turn-and-so/)

[Michael Ondaatje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ondaatje/)

> [“All over the world there must be people like us, Anna had said then, wounded in some way by falling in love - seemingly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ondaatje/all-over-the-world-there-must-be-people-like-us-anna-had-said-then/)

[Michael Ondaatje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ondaatje/)

> [Her father had taught her about hands. About a dog's paws. Whenever her father was alone with a dog in a house he would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ondaatje/her-father-had-taught-her-about-hands-about-a-dog-s-paws-whenever-her/)

[Michael Ondaatje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ondaatje/)

> [What is interesting and important happens mostly in secret, in places where there is no power. Nothing much of lasting value ever happens at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ondaatje/what-is-interesting-and-important-happens-mostly-in-secret-in-places/)

[Michael Ondaatje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ondaatje/)

> [There's more danger in the violence you don't face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ondaatje/there-s-more-danger-in-the-violence-you-don-t-face/)

[Michael Ondaatje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ondaatje/)

> [From this point on, she whispered, we will either find or lose our souls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ondaatje/from-this-point-on-she-whispered-we-will-either-find-or-lose-our-souls/)

[Michael Ondaatje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ondaatje/)

> [“You know it is the most relaxed thing when you when you sit with a best friend and you know there is nothing you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ondaatje/you-know-it-is-the-most-relaxed-thing-when-you-when-you-sit-with-a/)

[Michael Ondaatje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ondaatje/)

> [“There was no control except the " mood of his power... and it is for this reason it is good you never heard him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ondaatje/there-was-no-control-except-the-mood-of-his-power-and-it-is-for-this/)

[Michael Ondaatje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ondaatje/)

> [You're getting everyone's point of view at the same time, which for me, is the perfect state for a novel: a cubist state, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ondaatje/you-re-getting-everyone-s-point-of-view-at-the-same-time-which-for-me/)

[Michael Ondaatje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ondaatje/)

> [I see the poem or the novel ending with an open door.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ondaatje/i-see-the-poem-or-the-novel-ending-with-an-open-door/)

[Michael Ondaatje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ondaatje/)

> [“The Time Around Scars: A girl whom I've not spoken to or shared coffee with for several years writes of an old scar. On…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ondaatje/the-time-around-scars-a-girl-whom-i-ve-not-spoken-to-or-shared-coffee/)

[Michael Ondaatje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ondaatje/)

> [“- Daca ti-as incredinta viata mea, ai scapa-o pe jos. Nu-i asa?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ondaatje/daca-ti-as-incredinta-viata-mea-ai-scapa-o-pe-jos-nu-i-asa/)

[Michael Ondaatje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ondaatje/)

[Explore all 322 Michael Ondaatje quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ondaatje/)

## More Like quotes

> [Do I look like a fool to you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamika-leeigh/do-i-look-like-a-fool-to-you/)

[Tamika-leeigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamika-leeigh/)

> [I feel like I definitely have a real sporty style, more so than a lot of people in G.O.O.D. Music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/i-feel-like-i-definitely-have-a-real-sporty-style-more-so-than-a-lot/)

[Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/)

> [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/)

[Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/)

> [We all know what it feels like to love someone and care about them and want to protect them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiana-madeira/we-all-know-what-it-feels-like-to-love-someone-and-care-about-them/)

[Kiana Madeira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiana-madeira/)

> [I'm a workaholic, but I also like to vacation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karrueche-tran/i-m-a-workaholic-but-i-also-like-to-vacation/)

[Karrueche Tran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karrueche-tran/)

> [People like Sam Cooke and Otis Redding - I do not put myself in that category.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-capaldi/people-like-sam-cooke-and-otis-redding-i-do-not-put-myself-in-that/)

[Lewis Capaldi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-capaldi/)

> [I like the Patagonia in Argentina.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-gasol/i-like-the-patagonia-in-argentina/)

[Marc Gasol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-gasol/)

> [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/)

[Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/)

> [I like to wear bodysuits and things that make me feel really active and athletic and also really sensual.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-hawley-weld/i-like-to-wear-bodysuits-and-things-that-make-me-feel-really-active/)

[Sophie Hawley-Weld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-hawley-weld/)

> [In the future, I would like to do more films with contemporary themes. Perhaps comedy, which is something I have done in theater but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-evans/in-the-future-i-would-like-to-do-more-films-with-contemporary-themes/)

[Luke Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-evans/)

> [It's like saying French shouldn't be taught because you don't understand it because it's new. Shakespeare is just like learning a new, exciting language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-barnett/it-s-like-saying-french-shouldn-t-be-taught-because-you-don-t/)

[Samuel Barnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-barnett/)

> [I don't want my kids to live like I do, sweating in a little metal box. I want them to have sunshine. I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-higgins/i-don-t-want-my-kids-to-live-like-i-do-sweating-in-a-little-metal-box/)

[Alex Higgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-higgins/)

> [I like Louis C.K., Chris Rock. Old schools like Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-devine/i-like-louis-c-k-chris-rock-old-schools-like-richard-pryor-and-eddie/)

[Adam DeVine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-devine/)

> [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/)

[Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/)

> [Having small children and being an investigative reporter would seem like a difficult mix, but it worked well for me. I was often working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-abramson/having-small-children-and-being-an-investigative-reporter-would-seem/)

[Jill Abramson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-abramson/)

[Browse all 44,534 Like quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "To write about someone like myself would be very limiting.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Michael Ondaatje"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ondaatje/to-write-about-someone-like-myself-would-be-very-limiting/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Like"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ondaatje/to-write-about-someone-like-myself-would-be-very-limiting/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/592/michael-ondaatje-940_like_to-write-about-someone-like-myself-would_2208353.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/592/michael-ondaatje-940_like_to-write-about-someone-like-myself-would_2208353.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/592/michael-ondaatje-940_like_to-write-about-someone-like-myself-would_2208353.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“To write about someone like myself would be very limiting.” — Michael Ondaatje",
                "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": "Michael Ondaatje",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ondaatje/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "To write about someone like myself...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ondaatje/to-write-about-someone-like-myself-would-be-very-limiting/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ondaatje/to-write-about-someone-like-myself-would-be-very-limiting/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
