--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It used to be with chocolate. I would put…" description: "\"It used to be with chocolate. I would put chocolate in my studio and say, \"You know, Nat, there's this chocolate you can have if you get over there.\" A..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f50/natalie-goldberg-1741_chocolate_it-used-to-be-with-chocolate-i-would-put_1721036.png" --- # It used to be with chocolate. I would put chocolate in my… ![“It used to be with chocolate. I would put chocolate in my studio and say, "You know, Nat, there's this chocolate you can have if you get over there." And usually if I got over there, I would start writing. Sometimes I need get out of the house and go to a café and write. Sometimes I'll write with…” quote by Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f50/natalie-goldberg-1741_chocolate_it-used-to-be-with-chocolate-i-would-put_1721036.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f50/natalie-goldberg-1741_chocolate_it-used-to-be-with-chocolate-i-would-put_1721036.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f50/natalie-goldberg-1741_chocolate_it-used-to-be-with-chocolate-i-would-put_1721036.png) > “It used to be with chocolate. I would put chocolate in my studio and say, "You know, Nat, there's this chocolate you can have if you get over there." And usually if I got over there, I would start writing. Sometimes I need get out of the house and go to a café and write. Sometimes I'll write with other friends to get myself going. And sometimes I just say "Ok, Nat, enough. Go one hour. Keep your hand going." I'll do whatever it takes.” [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Creative work often requires changing environment and self‑imposed discipline; external prompts and routine breaks can overcome inertia. **In simple terms:** Change setting and set small goals to keep writing. Key Takeaway Set timers and change places to write. Themes creativity discipline habit formation environment motivation Mood reflective practical Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - writing retreats - home office - café sessions - peer writing groups Key Concepts flow state self‑regulation creative block Questions to Reflect On - What environment best sparks your ideas? - How can you maintain momentum without exhaustion? A Different Perspective Self‑imposed pressure can cause burnout if not balanced with rest. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chocolate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chocolate/) [Enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enough/) [Get over](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/get-over/) [Hands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hands/) [Hours](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hours/) [House](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/house/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Nat Chocolate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nat-chocolate-1338671/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [One hour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/one-hour/) [Sometimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sometimes/) [Start Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/start-writing/) [Studios](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/studios/) [Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used/) [Used to be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used-to-be/) [Whatever it takes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whatever-it-takes/) [Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/write/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Writing Need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-need-548305/) ## Related quotes > [I've known several cases of writers who decide to write about something and they research the hell out of it and when they're ready…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-doctorow/i-ve-known-several-cases-of-writers-who-decide-to-write-about/) [E. L. Doctorow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-doctorow/) > [I am compulsive about writing, I need to do it the way I need sleep and exercise and food and sex; I can go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/i-am-compulsive-about-writing-i-need-to-do-it-the-way-i-need-sleep/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [I do outlines when I'm writing with someone, but they also need to have a certain amount of freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-mccaffrey/i-do-outlines-when-i-m-writing-with-someone-but-they-also-need-to/) [Anne McCaffrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-mccaffrey/) > [With writing, I need a lot of time to sit around and do nothing. But now that I have kids, I just don't have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sofia-coppola/with-writing-i-need-a-lot-of-time-to-sit-around-and-do-nothing-but/) [Sofia Coppola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sofia-coppola/) > [For me, writing is something that I need to do. If I'm not writing, I'm not happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crystal-hana-kim/for-me-writing-is-something-that-i-need-to-do-if-i-m-not-writing-i-m/) [Crystal Hana Kim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crystal-hana-kim/) > [I would also argue that there is a good chance that an outline will help you stave off any onslaught of writer's block. Let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-brooks/i-would-also-argue-that-there-is-a-good-chance-that-an-outline-will/) [Terry Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-brooks/) > [“When you are writing, you do not need to be as good as Poe, Shakespeare or Rowling. You need to be as good as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giuseppe-bianco/when-you-are-writing-you-do-not-need-to-be-as-good-as-poe-shakespeare/) [Giuseppe Bianco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giuseppe-bianco/) > [My writing has always been more out of the need to write a movie rather than me being a good writer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-winding-refn/my-writing-has-always-been-more-out-of-the-need-to-write-a-movie/) [Nicolas Winding Refn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-winding-refn/) > [I feel that when I began writing, I had a need to know more about the play before I got into it. I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/i-feel-that-when-i-began-writing-i-had-a-need-to-know-more-about-the/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [I started writing because I had a need inside of me to create something that was not there](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audre-lorde/i-started-writing-because-i-had-a-need-inside-of-me-to-create/) [Audre Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audre-lorde/) > [Screenplay is the toughest form of writing for me, because you need to be in present tense. You need to be describing things as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guillermo-del-toro/screenplay-is-the-toughest-form-of-writing-for-me-because-you-need-to/) [Guillermo del Toro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guillermo-del-toro/) > [I'd go so far as to say I was bullied into writing, but sometimes you need that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-waller-bridge/i-d-go-so-far-as-to-say-i-was-bullied-into-writing-but-sometimes-you/) [Phoebe Waller-Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-waller-bridge/) > [When I'm writing, I need to amplify my thoughts and feelings on just a conversation that I might have had with somebody - somebody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-bay/when-i-m-writing-i-need-to-amplify-my-thoughts-and-feelings-on-just-a/) [James Bay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-bay/) > [I need all of my songs while I'm writing them, because I need to get the stuff out of my body and out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-anderson/i-need-all-of-my-songs-while-i-m-writing-them-because-i-need-to-get/) [Jacob Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-anderson/) > [“Writers need their writing; they need their imaginary worlds in order to find piece in, or make sense of, the real world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-brooks/writers-need-their-writing-they-need-their-imaginary-worlds-in-order/) [Terry Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-brooks/) ## More by Natalie Goldberg > [“We heard about people who go back to their roots. That is good, but don't get stuck in the root. There is the branch,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/we-heard-about-people-who-go-back-to-their-roots-that-is-good-but-don/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [Over and over, we have to go back to the beginning. We should not be ashamed of this. It is good. It's like drinking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/over-and-over-we-have-to-go-back-to-the-beginning-we-should-not-be/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [I feel very rich when I have time to write and very poor when I get a regular paycheck and no time at my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/i-feel-very-rich-when-i-have-time-to-write-and-very-poor-when-i-get-a/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [Actually, when I look at my old notebooks, I think I have been a bit self-indulgent and have given myself too much time to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/actually-when-i-look-at-my-old-notebooks-i-think-i-have-been-a-bit/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [Our bodies are garbage heaps: we collect experience, and from the decomposition of the thrown-out eggshells, spinach leaves, coffee grinds, and old steak bones…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/our-bodies-are-garbage-heaps-we-collect-experience-and-from-the/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [Know that you will eventually have to leave everything behind; the writing will demand it of you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/know-that-you-will-eventually-have-to-leave-everything-behind-the/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [To encounter a fine book and have time to read it is a wonderful thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/to-encounter-a-fine-book-and-have-time-to-read-it-is-a-wonderful-thing/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [In the past few years I've assigned books to be read before a student attends one of my weeklong seminars. I have been astonished…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/in-the-past-few-years-i-ve-assigned-books-to-be-read-before-a-student/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [“When you draw and pay attention to what is, it's a form of being present. This inspires the mind, makes it happy, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/when-you-draw-and-pay-attention-to-what-is-it-s-a-form-of-being/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [Poetry is a dumb Buddha who thinks a donkey is as important as a diamond.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/poetry-is-a-dumb-buddha-who-thinks-a-donkey-is-as-important-as-a/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [I told all kinds of stories about going to Japan, about playing ball with my father... I wanted to record my life in case…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/i-told-all-kinds-of-stories-about-going-to-japan-about-playing-ball/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [“No matter what a person does to cover up and conceal themselves, when we write and lose control, I can spot a person from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/no-matter-what-a-person-does-to-cover-up-and-conceal-themselves-when/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [To stay close and intimate with experience is to stay close to the mind; the nitty gritty mind of the way things really are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/to-stay-close-and-intimate-with-experience-is-to-stay-close-to-the/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [I read Eve Ensler and thought it was fabulous. Not only that, but it was really the only thing I could relate to about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/i-read-eve-ensler-and-thought-it-was-fabulous-not-only-that-but-it/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [If you feel bored or uncomfortable as you're writing, ask yourself what's bothering you and write about that. Sometimes your creative energy is like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/if-you-feel-bored-or-uncomfortable-as-you-re-writing-ask-yourself/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) [Explore all 212 Natalie Goldberg quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) ## More Chocolate quotes > [Milk chocolate, white chocolate, chocolate kisses, dark chocolate, caramel, chocolate nuts, chocolate fudge, hot chocolate. That's what's on my mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/punkinhead-abhishek/milk-chocolate-white-chocolate-chocolate-kisses-dark-chocolate/) [Punkinhead Abhishek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/punkinhead-abhishek/) > [Moderation, honey, in all things but love and chocolate. That's my motto.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-bretton/moderation-honey-in-all-things-but-love-and-chocolate-that-s-my-motto/) [Barbara Bretton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-bretton/) > [I'm an emotional eater. If something's worth celebrating, we're going to grab pizza. If it's going bad, girl, pass me the chocolate. Gotta keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurieann-gibson/i-m-an-emotional-eater-if-something-s-worth-celebrating-we-re-going/) [Laurieann Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurieann-gibson/) > [The heaviest I've ever been is 65 kilos. That was during my Leaving Cert when I was just studying and eating chocolate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-taylor/the-heaviest-i-ve-ever-been-is-65-kilos-that-was-during-my-leaving/) [Katie Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-taylor/) > [“After about 20 years of marriage, I think I'm finally starting to scratch the surface of what women want. And I think the answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-gibson/after-about-20-years-of-marriage-i-think-i-m-finally-starting-to/) [Mel Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-gibson/) > [The greatest tragedies were written by the Greeks and Shakespeare...neither knew chocolate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-boynton/the-greatest-tragedies-were-written-by-the-greeks-and-shakespeare/) [Sandra Boynton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-boynton/) > [“I'll know coffee works without cream and sugar when I see people buying unsweetened bakers chocolate for Valentine's Day.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-sinnott/i-ll-know-coffee-works-without-cream-and-sugar-when-i-see-people/) [Kevin Sinnott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-sinnott/) > [Every study on chocolate is pointing to the same conclusion: there is something in chocolate that is really good for us. That something is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-wolfe/every-study-on-chocolate-is-pointing-to-the-same-conclusion-there-is/) [David Wolfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-wolfe/) > [And just so you know for the future, I like my double-chocolate chip cookies warm and soft in the middle...and without magnets glued to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-elkeles/and-just-so-you-know-for-the-future-i-like-my-double-chocolate-chip/) [Simone Elkeles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-elkeles/) > [Debating on whether the chocolate I found in my purse has gone bad...Oh well! Still chocolate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-munn/debating-on-whether-the-chocolate-i-found-in-my-purse-has-gone-bad-oh/) [Olivia Munn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-munn/) > [When I get back to Derry I always enjoy a good fry-up that my mum makes. That's my big weakness. I also eat too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nadine-coyle/when-i-get-back-to-derry-i-always-enjoy-a-good-fry-up-that-my-mum/) [Nadine Coyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nadine-coyle/) > [I make my own chocolate, I grow my own beans, and now I have something about the history of chocolate. I feel I try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-torres/i-make-my-own-chocolate-i-grow-my-own-beans-and-now-i-have-something/) [Jacques Torres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-torres/) > [The divine drink which builds up resistance and fights fatigue. A cup of this precious drink permits a man to walk for a whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hernando-cortes/the-divine-drink-which-builds-up-resistance-and-fights-fatigue-a-cup/) [Hernando Cortes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hernando-cortes/) > [Unpleasant questions are being raised about Mother's Day. Is this day necessary? . . . Isn't it bad public policy? . . . No…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-baker/unpleasant-questions-are-being-raised-about-mother-s-day-is-this-day/) [Russell Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-baker/) > [“What kind of person doesn't like chocolate?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hend-hegazi/what-kind-of-person-doesn-t-like-chocolate/) [Hend Hegazi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hend-hegazi/) [Browse all 1,491 Chocolate quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chocolate/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It used to be with chocolate. I would put chocolate in my studio and say, \"You know, Nat, there's this chocolate you can have if you get over there.\" And usually if I got over there, I would start writing. Sometimes I need get out of the house and go to a café and write. Sometimes I'll write with other friends to get myself going. And sometimes I just say \"Ok, Nat, enough. Go one hour. Keep your hand going.\" I'll do whatever it takes.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Natalie Goldberg" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/it-used-to-be-with-chocolate-i-would-put-chocolate-in-my-studio-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Chocolate" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/it-used-to-be-with-chocolate-i-would-put-chocolate-in-my-studio-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f50/natalie-goldberg-1741_chocolate_it-used-to-be-with-chocolate-i-would-put_1721036.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f50/natalie-goldberg-1741_chocolate_it-used-to-be-with-chocolate-i-would-put_1721036.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f50/natalie-goldberg-1741_chocolate_it-used-to-be-with-chocolate-i-would-put_1721036.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It used to be with chocolate. I would put chocolate in my studio and say, \"You know, Nat, there's this…” — Natalie Goldberg", "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": "Natalie Goldberg", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It used to be with chocolate....", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/it-used-to-be-with-chocolate-i-would-put-chocolate-in-my-studio-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/it-used-to-be-with-chocolate-i-would-put-chocolate-in-my-studio-and/#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 } } ] } ```