--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've been asked to write a book several…" description: "\"I've been asked to write a book several times; I've had several publishers come to me and offer me book deals. Especially right after I left Dream Thea..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/082/mike-portnoy-5256_avenged-sevenfold_i-ve-been-asked-to-write-a-book-several_453945.jpg" --- # I've been asked to write a book several times; I've had… ![“I've been asked to write a book several times; I've had several publishers come to me and offer me book deals. Especially right after I left Dream Theater and Avenged Sevenfold, there was a lot of drama going on in my life, so the book companies came at me thirsty for blood and gossip. And I…” quote by Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/082/mike-portnoy-5256_avenged-sevenfold_i-ve-been-asked-to-write-a-book-several_453945.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/082/mike-portnoy-5256_avenged-sevenfold_i-ve-been-asked-to-write-a-book-several_453945.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/082/mike-portnoy-5256_avenged-sevenfold_i-ve-been-asked-to-write-a-book-several_453945.jpg) > “I've been asked to write a book several times; I've had several publishers come to me and offer me book deals. Especially right after I left Dream Theater and Avenged Sevenfold, there was a lot of drama going on in my life, so the book companies came at me thirsty for blood and gossip. And I turned down all the deals.” [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He rejected multiple publishing offers despite high demand, valuing personal control over his story. **In simple terms:** He turned down book deals to stay authentic. Key Takeaway Preserve artistic integrity over commercial pressure. Themes integrity control artistics industry personal boundaries career management Mood reflective determined Type advice personal narrative When to use this quote - writing memoir - negotiating contracts - media interviews - brand building Key Concepts authenticity creative autonomy commercial temptation reputation management Questions to Reflect On - What values guide your career decisions? - How do you balance opportunity with authenticity? A Different Perspective Turning down deals may limit exposure and income. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Asked Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asked-write/) [Avenged sevenfold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/avenged-sevenfold/) [Blood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blood/) [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Book Companies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book-companies-3956057/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Drama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drama/) [Dream theater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream-theater/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Gossip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gossip/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [My life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-life/) [Negotiation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negotiation/) [Offer Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/offer-book-3956058/) [Publishers Come](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/publishers-come-3956059/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Write Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/write-book/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) ## Related quotes > [After I left Dream Theater, and I was doing Avenged Sevenfold, Twisted Sister... all these other things, I made a lot of new fans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/after-i-left-dream-theater-and-i-was-doing-avenged-sevenfold-twisted/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [It's been an incredible experience, playing with Twisted Sister, Stone Sour, Avenged Sevenfold, jamming with Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, and the list goes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/it-s-been-an-incredible-experience-playing-with-twisted-sister-stone/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I kind of always made it a tradition, whenever Dream Theater played Toronto, to play a Rush cover.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-kind-of-always-made-it-a-tradition-whenever-dream-theater-played/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I love the Dream Theater guys dearly and have a long history, friendship, and bond that runs incredibly deep with them - it's just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-love-the-dream-theater-guys-dearly-and-have-a-long-history/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I spent my life's work doing what I did in Dream Theater for 25 years, so I'm proud of that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-spent-my-life-s-work-doing-what-i-did-in-dream-theater-for-25-years/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I remember waking up Tuesday, September 11th, 2001, to my wife telling me to put on the TV because I wasn't going to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-remember-waking-up-tuesday-september-11th-2001-to-my-wife-telling/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [Any time I say anything about Dream Theater... Honestly, I'd rather not talk about it. Because no matter what I say, it will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/any-time-i-say-anything-about-dream-theater-honestly-i-d-rather-not/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [With the Neal Morse Band, we're doing progressive music with a harder edge; it's a little more in Dream Theater territory for me. Flying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/with-the-neal-morse-band-we-re-doing-progressive-music-with-a-harder/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [My time and my legacy with Dream Theater will always be a part of me. It's something I'll always be proud of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/my-time-and-my-legacy-with-dream-theater-will-always-be-a-part-of-me/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [With Dream Theater, every creative aspect of the group went through me. I oversaw it all from top to bottom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/with-dream-theater-every-creative-aspect-of-the-group-went-through-me/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [We kind of established in Sons of Apollo right from the get go that it would be a very collaborative process musically, but after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/we-kind-of-established-in-sons-of-apollo-right-from-the-get-go-that/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I see the headlines on Blabbermouth, and the fans are saying, 'Why is he always talking about Dream Theater?' I'm not talking about Dream…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-see-the-headlines-on-blabbermouth-and-the-fans-are-saying-why-is-he/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [One of the reasons I needed to leave Dream Theater was because I didn't want to end my career as just the drummer in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/one-of-the-reasons-i-needed-to-leave-dream-theater-was-because-i-didn/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I am looking forward to working with the great staff of Loud & Proud Records, some of whom I worked very closely with during…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-am-looking-forward-to-working-with-the-great-staff-of-loud-proud/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [One of the biggest misconceptions was, after I left Dream Theater, I went off and did, like, five different bands and side projects. Everyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/one-of-the-biggest-misconceptions-was-after-i-left-dream-theater-i/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) ## More by Mike Portnoy > [My lesson would be to not sell yourself to anybody else and stay true to yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/my-lesson-would-be-to-not-sell-yourself-to-anybody-else-and-stay-true/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I love playing drums and helping out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-love-playing-drums-and-helping-out/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [One of the biggest misconceptions was, after I left Dream Theater, I went off and did, like, five different bands and side projects. Everyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/one-of-the-biggest-misconceptions-was-after-i-left-dream-theater-i/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I don't even like doing drum solos live; to me, it's like, 'Ehhh.' It doesn't really interest me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-don-t-even-like-doing-drum-solos-live-to-me-it-s-like-ehhh-it-doesn/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [Every band goes through breakups or splits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/every-band-goes-through-breakups-or-splits/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I am looking forward to working with the great staff of Loud & Proud Records, some of whom I worked very closely with during…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-am-looking-forward-to-working-with-the-great-staff-of-loud-proud/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I'm a music fan first and foremost. I can find the beauty in Jellyfish and U2 just as much as Opeth and Lamb of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-m-a-music-fan-first-and-foremost-i-can-find-the-beauty-in-jellyfish/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I'm a very sentimental guy; I'm a very nostalgic guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-m-a-very-sentimental-guy-i-m-a-very-nostalgic-guy/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [It's all about the music, and I work as hard as I do strictly because of the music. It's not a money thing; it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/it-s-all-about-the-music-and-i-work-as-hard-as-i-do-strictly-because/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [One of the reasons I needed to leave Dream Theater was because I didn't want to end my career as just the drummer in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/one-of-the-reasons-i-needed-to-leave-dream-theater-was-because-i-didn/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I have no interest in playing 'perfect.' To me, it's more about being an entertainer. Having a connection with the audience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-have-no-interest-in-playing-perfect-to-me-it-s-more-about-being-an/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I am - you know, I'm getting to do everything I've ever wanted to do, anything my imagination can think up. I'm getting to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-am-you-know-i-m-getting-to-do-everything-i-ve-ever-wanted-to-do/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I could be just as happy playing a Beatles song as I am when I'm thrashing out the double bass stuff with Adrenaline Mob.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-could-be-just-as-happy-playing-a-beatles-song-as-i-am-when-i-m/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I see the headlines on Blabbermouth, and the fans are saying, 'Why is he always talking about Dream Theater?' I'm not talking about Dream…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-see-the-headlines-on-blabbermouth-and-the-fans-are-saying-why-is-he/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [Flying Colors is more alternative pop with a prog edge. Think the Beatles meets U2 meets Muse and Foo Fighters. It is the opposite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/flying-colors-is-more-alternative-pop-with-a-prog-edge-think-the/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) [Explore all 102 Mike Portnoy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) ## More Avenged sevenfold quotes > [We're not gonna write a fusion song for Avenged Sevenfold, obviously, but I love having those elements and blending it in, and having the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/synyster-gates/we-re-not-gonna-write-a-fusion-song-for-avenged-sevenfold-obviously/) [Synyster Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/synyster-gates/) > [“If I was perfect then this would be easy...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avenged-sevenfold/if-i-was-perfect-then-this-would-be-easy/) [Avenged Sevenfold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avenged-sevenfold/) > [I can honestly tell you, if it wasn't for our fans, there would not be Avenged Sevenfold right now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zacky-vengeance/i-can-honestly-tell-you-if-it-wasn-t-for-our-fans-there-would-not-be/) [Zacky Vengeance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zacky-vengeance/) > [After 'City of Evil,' the world was still kind of apprehensive about Avenged Sevenfold. They didn't know if we were a serious band or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zacky-vengeance/after-city-of-evil-the-world-was-still-kind-of-apprehensive-about/) [Zacky Vengeance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zacky-vengeance/) > [These fans are the reason why we're here. They're awesome and very crazy. They love Avenged Sevenfold, and we love them. Having that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-christ/these-fans-are-the-reason-why-we-re-here-they-re-awesome-and-very/) [Johnny Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-christ/) > [Everybody needs some real rock in their lives...whether it's bands like ourselves, Aerosmith or Stones...or new bands like Five Finger Death Punch, Avenged Sevenfold...it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-sixx/everybody-needs-some-real-rock-in-their-lives-whether-it-s-bands-like/) [Nikki Sixx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-sixx/) > [“foREVer @ whoever loves Avenged Sevenfold”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/forever-whoever-loves-avenged-sevenfold/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The thing about me is that I'm very fortunate to have had the opportunities with Avenged Sevenfold in songwriting. I really think it's helped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/synyster-gates/the-thing-about-me-is-that-i-m-very-fortunate-to-have-had-the/) [Synyster Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/synyster-gates/) > [Avenged Sevenfold~Nightmares~](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/im-nothing/avenged-sevenfold-nightmares/) [Im Nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/im-nothing/) > [It's been an incredible experience, playing with Twisted Sister, Stone Sour, Avenged Sevenfold, jamming with Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, and the list goes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/it-s-been-an-incredible-experience-playing-with-twisted-sister-stone/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [“Now I think I understand how this world can overcome a man.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/now-i-think-i-understand-how-this-world-can-overcome-a-man/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“We have one collective hope: the Earth And yet, uncounted people remain hopeless, famine and calamity abound Sufferers hurl themselves into the arms of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/we-have-one-collective-hope-the-earth-and-yet-uncounted-people-remain/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [I like Avenged Sevenfold and Five Finger Death Punch, with whom I did a single.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-halford/i-like-avenged-sevenfold-and-five-finger-death-punch-with-whom-i-did/) [Rob Halford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-halford/) > ['Waking the Fallen' truly encompasses everything that Avenged Sevenfold was at that time. It was us being fearless, us showing our roots in heavy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zacky-vengeance/waking-the-fallen-truly-encompasses-everything-that-avenged-sevenfold/) [Zacky Vengeance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zacky-vengeance/) > [It wasn't until high school that I realized Avenged Sevenfold was picking up locally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-christ/it-wasn-t-until-high-school-that-i-realized-avenged-sevenfold-was/) [Johnny Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-christ/) [Browse all 28 Avenged sevenfold quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/avenged-sevenfold/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I've been asked to write a book several times; I've had several publishers come to me and offer me book deals. Especially right after I left Dream Theater and Avenged Sevenfold, there was a lot of drama going on in my life, so the book companies came at me thirsty for blood and gossip. 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