--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Writing is not a profession, it's an…" description: "\"Writing is not a profession, it's an addiction.\" — Neal Gabler" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/516/neal-gabler-22955_addiction_writing-is-not-a-profession-it-s-an-addi_3121439.png" --- # Writing is not a profession, it's an addiction. ![“Writing is not a profession, it's an addiction.” quote by Neal Gabler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/516/neal-gabler-22955_addiction_writing-is-not-a-profession-it-s-an-addi_3121439.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/516/neal-gabler-22955_addiction_writing-is-not-a-profession-it-s-an-addi_3121439.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/516/neal-gabler-22955_addiction_writing-is-not-a-profession-it-s-an-addi_3121439.png) > “Writing is not a profession, it's an addiction.” [Neal Gabler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-gabler/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writing can dominate life like a compulsive habit, blurring work and passion. **In simple terms:** Writing feels like an addiction. Key Takeaway Embrace the passion, set boundaries. Themes creativity passion work-life balance Mood reflective introspective Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - career choice - personal projects - freelance writing - authorial discipline Key Concepts addiction intrinsic motivation Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance writing with other responsibilities? - What signs show your writing is becoming unhealthy? A Different Perspective Passion may lead to burnout if unchecked. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Addiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/addiction/) [Career](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/career/) [Profession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/profession/) [Profession Addiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/profession-addiction-5482248/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Writing Profession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-profession-309553/) ## Related quotes > [Beware of self-indulgence. 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It is what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fay-weldon/writers-were-never-meant-to-be-professionals-writing-is-not-a/) [Fay Weldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fay-weldon/) > [Writing is not a profession, occupation or job; it is not a way of life: it is a comprehensive response to life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-mcdonald/writing-is-not-a-profession-occupation-or-job-it-is-not-a-way-of-life/) [Gregory Mcdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-mcdonald/) > [The mystique and the false glamour of the writing profession grow partly out of a mistaken belief that people who can express profound ideas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-burroway/the-mystique-and-the-false-glamour-of-the-writing-profession-grow/) [Janet Burroway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-burroway/) > [To me, writing is not a profession. You might as well call living a profession. Or having children. Anything you can't help doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vicki-baum/to-me-writing-is-not-a-profession-you-might-as-well-call-living-a/) [Vicki Baum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vicki-baum/) > [“Writing- the profession in which you stare at a computer screen, stare out the window, type a few words, then curse repeatedly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-goodman/writing-the-profession-in-which-you-stare-at-a-computer-screen-stare/) [Drew Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-goodman/) > [“Writing is something you do alone. Its a profession for introverts who want to tell you a story but don't want to make eye…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/writing-is-something-you-do-alone-its-a-profession-for-introverts-who/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [Writing is the only profession where nobody considers you ridiculous if you earn no money. Money is like an arm or a leg; use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ford/writing-is-the-only-profession-where-nobody-considers-you-ridiculous/) [Henry Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ford/) > [“I have never thought of writing as a profession. It is a solitary independent activity in which practice can never bestow seniority.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-berger/i-have-never-thought-of-writing-as-a-profession-it-is-a-solitary/) [John Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-berger/) > [“And though creative writing as an intellectual exercise may be pursued with profit by anyone, writing as a profession is not a job for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stegner/and-though-creative-writing-as-an-intellectual-exercise-may-be/) [Wallace Stegner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stegner/) > [“Writing is a profession that has no real career structure and your best advice when you hit a difficulty is probably going to come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-sheridan/writing-is-a-profession-that-has-no-real-career-structure-and-your/) [Sara Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-sheridan/) > [Writing is my profession. Photography is my hobby.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avi/writing-is-my-profession-photography-is-my-hobby/) [Avi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avi/) > [Writing seems to be the only profession people imagine you can do by thinking about doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/writing-seems-to-be-the-only-profession-people-imagine-you-can-do-by/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [Writing is the only profession where no one considers you ridiculous if you earn no money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-renard/writing-is-the-only-profession-where-no-one-considers-you-ridiculous/) [Jules Renard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-renard/) ## More by Neal Gabler > [“He had passed beyond the afflictions of this world. Walt Disney had at last attained perfection.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-gabler/he-had-passed-beyond-the-afflictions-of-this-world-walt-disney-had-at/) [Neal Gabler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-gabler/) > [We need more than simply financial education. We need to re-orient ourselves mentally, in terms of what the American Dream is, and how we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-gabler/we-need-more-than-simply-financial-education-we-need-to-re-orient/) [Neal Gabler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-gabler/) > [I didn't really care about money. I really wanted to follow my bliss. I really wanted to do the things that would make my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-gabler/i-didn-t-really-care-about-money-i-really-wanted-to-follow-my-bliss-i/) [Neal Gabler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-gabler/) > [Everyone who is in a financial situation argues with his or her spouse. Many people argue with their children. Or they lose the respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-gabler/everyone-who-is-in-a-financial-situation-argues-with-his-or-her/) [Neal Gabler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-gabler/) > [Obviously, psychologically, it would make all the difference in the world. But I think it would also make a big difference financially. If people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-gabler/obviously-psychologically-it-would-make-all-the-difference-in-the/) [Neal Gabler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-gabler/) > [I was taught to believe, "If you work hard, you will be successful. 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The result was to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-gabler/having-invited-these-performances-in-the-first-place-the-media/) [Neal Gabler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-gabler/) > [Our own personal salvation is to say, "I'm not going to judge myself, or let other people judge me, by my economic worth." We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-gabler/our-own-personal-salvation-is-to-say-i-m-not-going-to-judge-myself-or/) [Neal Gabler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-gabler/) > [I have no credit cards. That was the decision that was made jointly by the credit card companies, and by me. I can't say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-gabler/i-have-no-credit-cards-that-was-the-decision-that-was-made-jointly-by/) [Neal Gabler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-gabler/) > [“...the deliberate application of the techniques of theater to politics, religion, education, literature, commerce, warfare, crime, everything, has converted them into branches of show…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-gabler/the-deliberate-application-of-the-techniques-of-theater-to-politics/) [Neal Gabler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-gabler/) > [Be cautious, understand the consequences of your decisions. You have to understand the consequences of every decision that you make. If you decide to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-gabler/be-cautious-understand-the-consequences-of-your-decisions-you-have-to/) [Neal Gabler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-gabler/) > [And financial problems are exactly the same thing. You're humiliated. You're ashamed. You're embarrassed about telling anyone that you are suffering financial difficulties.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-gabler/and-financial-problems-are-exactly-the-same-thing-you-re-humiliated/) [Neal Gabler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-gabler/) > [For me, the moral dimension of life is that you are committed, to doing everything that you do, with a sense of excellence. That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-gabler/for-me-the-moral-dimension-of-life-is-that-you-are-committed-to-doing/) [Neal Gabler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-gabler/) [Explore all 26 Neal Gabler quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-gabler/) ## More Addiction quotes > [What has drug addiction done for me? It's cost me my career, my fortune and basically my sex life when I found out I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robbin-crosby/what-has-drug-addiction-done-for-me-it-s-cost-me-my-career-my-fortune/) [Robbin Crosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robbin-crosby/) > [“The idea that creative endeavor and mind-altering substances are entwined is one of the great pop-intellectual myths of our time... Creative people probably do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/the-idea-that-creative-endeavor-and-mind-altering-substances-are/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [I really think the disease aspect gets lost when you're talking about alcoholism and addiction; it's not like you're battling leukemia or a heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-irsay/i-really-think-the-disease-aspect-gets-lost-when-you-re-talking-about/) [Jim Irsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-irsay/) > [I had an addiction to artificial points of success. Like being able to run for this or run for that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruben-gallego/i-had-an-addiction-to-artificial-points-of-success-like-being-able-to/) [Ruben Gallego](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruben-gallego/) > [“Addictions are just symptoms of underlying issues, and in my view Nikki self-medicated the emotional pain of his childhood, and being away from his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-sixx/addictions-are-just-symptoms-of-underlying-issues-and-in-my-view/) [Nikki Sixx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-sixx/) > [“Oil. The great addiction of the civilized world”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-warren/oil-the-great-addiction-of-the-civilized-world/) [Andrew Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-warren/) > [“They say when you fall in love in love with someone that person becomes like a drug,an addiction you don't want to live without.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/they-say-when-you-fall-in-love-in-love-with-someone-that-person/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Addictions - Run to Jesus instead of running to your addiction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/addictions-run-to-jesus-instead-of-running-to-your-addiction/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [Music is my personal addiction. So much of everything I've done has only been to open more doors for the music itself. It all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/music-is-my-personal-addiction-so-much-of-everything-i-ve-done-has/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [“I am made of a thousand ghosts. Only you can shoot me down.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bella-james/i-am-made-of-a-thousand-ghosts-only-you-can-shoot-me-down/) [Bella James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bella-james/) > [Religious work is one of the best ways to keep from facing your reality if you are Christian, if you are using it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-miller/religious-work-is-one-of-the-best-ways-to-keep-from-facing-your/) [Keith Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-miller/) > [Cold sweats, hallucinations I wanna speed to stop. The hell I'm going through The addiction's taking you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bullet-for-my-valentine/cold-sweats-hallucinations-i-wanna-speed-to-stop-the-hell-i-m-going/) [Bullet For My Valentine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bullet-for-my-valentine/) > [As addictions go, reading is among the cleanest, easiest to feed, happiest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/as-addictions-go-reading-is-among-the-cleanest-easiest-to-feed/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [“Alcoholism is a choice... not a life sentence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-norman/alcoholism-is-a-choice-not-a-life-sentence/) [David Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-norman/) > [“Suckers think that you cure greed with money, addiction with substances, expert problems with experts, banking with bankers, economics with economists, and debt crises…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nassim-nicholas-taleb/suckers-think-that-you-cure-greed-with-money-addiction-with/) [Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nassim-nicholas-taleb/) [Browse all 2,134 Addiction quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/addiction/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Writing is not a profession, it's an addiction.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Neal Gabler" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-gabler/writing-is-not-a-profession-it-s-an-addiction/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Addiction" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-gabler/writing-is-not-a-profession-it-s-an-addiction/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/516/neal-gabler-22955_addiction_writing-is-not-a-profession-it-s-an-addi_3121439.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/516/neal-gabler-22955_addiction_writing-is-not-a-profession-it-s-an-addi_3121439.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/516/neal-gabler-22955_addiction_writing-is-not-a-profession-it-s-an-addi_3121439.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Writing is not a profession, it's an addiction.” — Neal Gabler", "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": "Neal Gabler", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-gabler/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Writing is not a profession, it's...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-gabler/writing-is-not-a-profession-it-s-an-addiction/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-gabler/writing-is-not-a-profession-it-s-an-addiction/#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 } } ] } ```