--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's a wonderful thing, as a writer, to…" description: "\"It's a wonderful thing, as a writer, to be given parameters and walls and barriers.\" — Neil Gaiman" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/128/neil-gaiman-29_barriers_it-s-a-wonderful-thing-as-a-writer-to-be_2301382.jpg" --- # It's a wonderful thing, as a writer, to be given… ![“It's a wonderful thing, as a writer, to be given parameters and walls and barriers.” quote by Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/128/neil-gaiman-29_barriers_it-s-a-wonderful-thing-as-a-writer-to-be_2301382.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/128/neil-gaiman-29_barriers_it-s-a-wonderful-thing-as-a-writer-to-be_2301382.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/128/neil-gaiman-29_barriers_it-s-a-wonderful-thing-as-a-writer-to-be_2301382.jpg) > “It's a wonderful thing, as a writer, to be given parameters and walls and barriers.” [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Limits and rules can inspire creativity, turning obstacles into artistic opportunity **In simple terms:** Constraints boost creativity Key Takeaway Embrace limits to spark ideas Themes creativity discipline artistic process Mood inspired productive Type creative motivational When to use this quote - writing workshops - design challenges - innovation labs Key Concepts creative constraint problem solving artistic freedom Questions to Reflect On - How can we set productive constraints? - When do limits become hindrances? A Different Perspective Too many constraints can stifle originality if too rigid ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Barriers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/barriers/) [Wall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wall/) [Wonderful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonderful/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“A Book I Can Put Down I’m halfway through and I’ve gotten used to the way it wants to be read. This writer wants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonia-clark/a-book-i-can-put-down-i-m-halfway-through-and-i-ve-gotten-used-to-the/) Antonia Clark > [Walls and barriers alone are insufficient to insure security.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bersin/walls-and-barriers-alone-are-insufficient-to-insure-security/) [Alan Bersin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bersin/) > [I think there's no question that the barriers, the fences and in certain urban areas, the walls, have had an important effect in terms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bersin/i-think-there-s-no-question-that-the-barriers-the-fences-and-in/) [Alan Bersin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bersin/) > [every healthy marriage is composed of walls and windows. The windows are the aspects of your relationship that are open to the world—that is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/every-healthy-marriage-is-composed-of-walls-and-windows-the-windows/) [Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/) > [The pleasure a reader gets is often equal to the pleasure a writer is given.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-theroux/the-pleasure-a-reader-gets-is-often-equal-to-the-pleasure-a-writer-is/) [Paul Theroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-theroux/) > [The greatest compliment a writer can be given is that a story and character hold a reader spellbound. Im caught up in the story…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-johansen/the-greatest-compliment-a-writer-can-be-given-is-that-a-story-and/) [Iris Johansen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-johansen/) > [And life is a good thing for a writer. It's where we get our raw material, for a start. We quite like to stop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/and-life-is-a-good-thing-for-a-writer-it-s-where-we-get-our-raw/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [Parameters are the things you bounce off to create art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/parameters-are-the-things-you-bounce-off-to-create-art/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [The first thing a writer should be is - excited. He should be a thing of fevers and enthusiasms. Without such vigor, he might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/the-first-thing-a-writer-should-be-is-excited-he-should-be-a-thing-of/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [Writing books takes a long time, and one thing a writer must do is learn to live with his or her project.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bock/writing-books-takes-a-long-time-and-one-thing-a-writer-must-do-is/) [Charles Bock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bock/) > [“The worst thing you can do as a writer is waste people's time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-connolly/the-worst-thing-you-can-do-as-a-writer-is-waste-people-s-time/) [John Connolly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-connolly/) > [“I think... the most brilliant thing about being a writer,is that if you don't like the way the world is, you can create your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maegan-cook/i-think-the-most-brilliant-thing-about-being-a-writer-is-that-if-you/) Maegan Cook > [There is no such thing as writer's block for writers whose standards are low enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-stafford/there-is-no-such-thing-as-writer-s-block-for-writers-whose-standards/) [William Stafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-stafford/) > [The great thing about being a writer is that you have a long, perhaps frighteningly long time in which to do your work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-leigh/the-great-thing-about-being-a-writer-is-that-you-have-a-long-perhaps/) [Julia Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-leigh/) > [That's the thing about the writer's life is that you have to have self-discipline. Otherwise you'll never get paid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-heisserer/that-s-the-thing-about-the-writer-s-life-is-that-you-have-to-have/) [Eric Heisserer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-heisserer/) ## More by Neil Gaiman > [“People talk about books that write themselves, and it's a lie. Books don't write themselves. It takes thought and research and a backache and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/people-talk-about-books-that-write-themselves-and-it-s-a-lie-books/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“Like all sentient beings, Fat Charlie had a weirdness quotient. For some days the needle had been over in the red, occasionally banging jerkily…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/like-all-sentient-beings-fat-charlie-had-a-weirdness-quotient-for/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“Shadow crawled across the floor to the yellow foam-rubber pad and climbed onto it, pulling the thin blanket over himself, and closed his eyes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/shadow-crawled-across-the-floor-to-the-yellow-foam-rubber-pad-and/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [ “\[T\]hey could not help being amused every time another little human believed itself the center of its world, as each of us does.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/t-hey-could-not-help-being-amused-every-time-another-little-human/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [So many things to see, people to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/so-many-things-to-see-people-to-do/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.’ – Ben Franklin,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/three-may-keep-a-secret-if-two-of-them-are-dead-ben-franklin/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [You need more than a beginning if you're going to start a book. If all you have is a beginning, then once you've written…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/you-need-more-than-a-beginning-if-you-re-going-to-start-a-book-if-all/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [You can tell the date of an old science fiction novel by every word on the page. Nothing dates harder and faster and more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/you-can-tell-the-date-of-an-old-science-fiction-novel-by-every-word/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“The quickest way is sometimes the longest.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/the-quickest-way-is-sometimes-the-longest/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“They were spells, spelled with words to make worlds, waiting for me, in the pages of books.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/they-were-spells-spelled-with-words-to-make-worlds-waiting-for-me-in/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [Finish what you're writing. Whatever you have to do to finish it, finish it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/finish-what-you-re-writing-whatever-you-have-to-do-to-finish-it/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [What do stars do? They shine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/what-do-stars-do-they-shine/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“What," asked Mr Croup, "do you want?" "What," asked the Marquis de Carabas, a little more rhetorically, "does anyone want?" "Dead things," suggested Mr…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/what-asked-mr-croup-do-you-want-what-asked-the-marquis-de-carabas-a/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [You get on with your own life. Lettie gave it to you. You just have to grow up and try and be worth it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/you-get-on-with-your-own-life-lettie-gave-it-to-you-you-just-have-to/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“Eyes will not see you. Minds will not hold you. Where you are is nothing and nobody”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/eyes-will-not-see-you-minds-will-not-hold-you-where-you-are-is/) [neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) [Explore all 2,526 Neil Gaiman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) ## More Barriers quotes > [Your aunt and uncle will be proud, though, won't they?" said Hermione as they got off the train and joined the crowd thronging toward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/your-aunt-and-uncle-will-be-proud-though-won-t-they-said-hermione-as/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The gear you can't afford is not the barrier keeping you from success. Gear has very little to do with photography.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chase-jarvis/the-gear-you-can-t-afford-is-not-the-barrier-keeping-you-from-success/) [Chase Jarvis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chase-jarvis/) > [All of the barriers to innovation in the energy sector are arguments for a big commitment to public investment. Only the public sector can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nordhaus/all-of-the-barriers-to-innovation-in-the-energy-sector-are-arguments/) [Ted Nordhaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nordhaus/) > [The "health, education, and welfare" section of government is another boondoggle. First we manufacture indigent and superfluous people by legal monopolies in land, money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurance-labadie/the-health-education-and-welfare-section-of-government-is-another/) [Laurance Labadie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurance-labadie/) > [Security is a component of everyday life that one spending time in Washington, D.C., gets accustomed to. Metal detectors, police vehicle barriers and heavily-armed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-crapo/security-is-a-component-of-everyday-life-that-one-spending-time-in/) [Mike Crapo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-crapo/) > [The biggest obstacles to our progress exist within our own lives in the form of cowardice and the tendency to give up. Breaking through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senora-roy/the-biggest-obstacles-to-our-progress-exist-within-our-own-lives-in/) [Senora Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senora-roy/) > [I feel that there are a few things in the world without cultural barriers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-chan/i-feel-that-there-are-a-few-things-in-the-world-without-cultural/) [Jackie Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-chan/) > [English literature is a glorious inheritance which is open to all - there are no barriers, no coupons, and no restrictions. In the English…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/english-literature-is-a-glorious-inheritance-which-is-open-to-all/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [Friendship embraces innumerable ends; turn where you will it is ever at your side; no barrier shuts it out; it is never untimely and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/friendship-embraces-innumerable-ends-turn-where-you-will-it-is-ever/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [I've cosponsored legislation to establish a lend-lease program to simplify bureaucratic barriers and allow a speedier transfer of U.S. military equipment to Ukraine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/i-ve-cosponsored-legislation-to-establish-a-lend-lease-program-to/) [Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/) > [Don't be afraid of what you want. This is your time. The barriers are down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morgan-freeman/don-t-be-afraid-of-what-you-want-this-is-your-time-the-barriers-are/) [Morgan Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morgan-freeman/) > [Fear is the single biggest barrier to creativity. Unless we're brave enough to risk looking foolish, we'll inevitably find ourselves sticking to the status…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-linkner/fear-is-the-single-biggest-barrier-to-creativity-unless-we-re-brave/) [Josh Linkner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-linkner/) > [He looked at my lips. I suddenly found myself wanting to lick his. 'Yes,' he replied, his eyes going molten. My breath caught in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-macalister/he-looked-at-my-lips-i-suddenly-found-myself-wanting-to-lick-his-yes/) [Katie MacAlister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-macalister/) > [What do you have to surrender? A drop has to dissolve into the ocean to become the ocean. And a drop cannot be greater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nirmala-srivastava/what-do-you-have-to-surrender-a-drop-has-to-dissolve-into-the-ocean/) [Nirmala Srivastava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nirmala-srivastava/) > [“One way to generate a precise customer value proposition is to think about the four most common barriers keeping people from getting particular jobs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-w-johnson/one-way-to-generate-a-precise-customer-value-proposition-is-to-think/) [Mark W. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-w-johnson/) [Browse all 1,191 Barriers quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/barriers/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It's a wonderful thing, as a writer, to be given parameters and walls and barriers.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Neil Gaiman" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/it-s-a-wonderful-thing-as-a-writer-to-be-given-parameters-and-walls/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Barriers" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/it-s-a-wonderful-thing-as-a-writer-to-be-given-parameters-and-walls/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/128/neil-gaiman-29_barriers_it-s-a-wonderful-thing-as-a-writer-to-be_2301382.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/128/neil-gaiman-29_barriers_it-s-a-wonderful-thing-as-a-writer-to-be_2301382.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/128/neil-gaiman-29_barriers_it-s-a-wonderful-thing-as-a-writer-to-be_2301382.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It's a wonderful thing, as a writer, to be given parameters and walls and barriers.” — Neil Gaiman", "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": "Neil Gaiman", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It's a wonderful thing, as a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/it-s-a-wonderful-thing-as-a-writer-to-be-given-parameters-and-walls/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/it-s-a-wonderful-thing-as-a-writer-to-be-given-parameters-and-walls/#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 } } ] } ```