--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Read as much as you can. Write only when…" description: "\"Read as much as you can. Write only when you feel the inner need to do so. And don’t ever rush into print.\" — Nick Flynn" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/092/nick-flynn-8678_books_read-as-much-as-you-can-write-only-when_1897760.png" --- # Read as much as you can. Write only when you feel the… ![“Read as much as you can. Write only when you feel the inner need to do so. And don’t ever rush into print.” quote by Nick Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/092/nick-flynn-8678_books_read-as-much-as-you-can-write-only-when_1897760.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/092/nick-flynn-8678_books_read-as-much-as-you-can-write-only-when_1897760.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/092/nick-flynn-8678_books_read-as-much-as-you-can-write-only-when_1897760.png) > “Read as much as you can. Write only when you feel the inner need to do so. And don’t ever rush into print.” [Nick Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-flynn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Encourages reading widely for knowledge and writing only when motivated, avoiding hasty publication. **In simple terms:** Read a lot, write when inspired, don't rush publishing. Key Takeaway Prioritize depth over speed. Themes learning creativity discipline Mood reflective inspirational Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - academic study - personal journaling - creative projects - blogging - book writing Key Concepts self‑motivation authenticity Questions to Reflect On - What drives your inner need to write? - How can you balance reading and writing? A Different Perspective May limit productivity if perfectionism stalls output. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Feel Inner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feel-inner-313664/) [Feels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feels/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Print](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/print/) [Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/read/) [Read Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/read-write/) [Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/write/) [Write Feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/write-feel/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“Read everything you can; write everything you feel.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-d-grizzle/read-everything-you-can-write-everything-you-feel/) [Eric D. Grizzle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-d-grizzle/) > [There is no secret to success except hard work and getting something indefinable which we call 'the breaks.' In order for a writer to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/countee-cullen/there-is-no-secret-to-success-except-hard-work-and-getting-something/) [Countee Cullen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/countee-cullen/) > [I will take classes in Kannada and will learn to read and write it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikita-thukral/i-will-take-classes-in-kannada-and-will-learn-to-read-and-write-it/) [Nikita Thukral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikita-thukral/) > [“If you can't write, read. If you can't read, walk. Or walk and read, then write.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-rachelle/if-you-can-t-write-read-if-you-can-t-read-walk-or-walk-and-read-then/) [Joyce Rachelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-rachelle/) > [“To strive in life; we must either read or write a story.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/to-strive-in-life-we-must-either-read-or-write-a-story/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [To be a writer you should read, write and talk to people, hear their knowledge, hear their problems. Be a good listener. The rest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-craighead-george/to-be-a-writer-you-should-read-write-and-talk-to-people-hear-their/) [Jean Craighead George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-craighead-george/) > [Let's say I love the way it is you make me feel, some inner peace and bliss lets me know it's real..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raghib-clitso/let-s-say-i-love-the-way-it-is-you-make-me-feel-some-inner-peace-and/) [Raghib Clitso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raghib-clitso/) > [For the first time I feel an inner emotional security. There is reality and dependability. My life revolves around Richard and the baby.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-wood/for-the-first-time-i-feel-an-inner-emotional-security-there-is/) [Natalie Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-wood/) > [Notice the little minor things around you, and feel the inner beauty through all of them. That's what makes your life worth living for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/notice-the-little-minor-things-around-you-and-feel-the-inner-beauty/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [Even spiritually advanced people are often confused. They feel an inner ecstasy which comes from the vital world, and they think this is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-chinmoy/even-spiritually-advanced-people-are-often-confused-they-feel-an/) [Sri Chinmoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-chinmoy/) > [As long as I feel that inner strength, I'll be all right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-kompany/as-long-as-i-feel-that-inner-strength-i-ll-be-all-right/) [Vincent Kompany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-kompany/) > [People bring to what they see and feel, the inner weather of their souls and complexion of their minds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/han-suyin/people-bring-to-what-they-see-and-feel-the-inner-weather-of-their/) [Han Suyin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/han-suyin/) > [I run because it's so symbolic of life. You have to drive yourself to overcome the obstacles. You might feel that you can't. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-blank/i-run-because-it-s-so-symbolic-of-life-you-have-to-drive-yourself-to/) [Arthur Blank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-blank/) > [“Gratitude is the best way to feel inner-Peace and Happiness”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maddy-malhotra/gratitude-is-the-best-way-to-feel-inner-peace-and-happiness/) [Maddy Malhotra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maddy-malhotra/) > [“Meditation expands our inner being. The inner being is like a small, individual river flowering towards the Ocean. In meditation, I feel how my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-dhyan-giten/meditation-expands-our-inner-being-the-inner-being-is-like-a-small/) [Swami Dhyan Giten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-dhyan-giten/) ## More by Nick Flynn > [There are many ways to drown, only the most obvious wave their arms as they're going under.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-flynn/there-are-many-ways-to-drown-only-the-most-obvious-wave-their-arms-as/) [Nick Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-flynn/) > [In life you get one take, and it's perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-flynn/in-life-you-get-one-take-and-it-s-perfect/) [Nick Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-flynn/) > [We got him to talk to a psych doctor once, the doctor asked if he heard things other people don't. Sure, Paul answered, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-flynn/we-got-him-to-talk-to-a-psych-doctor-once-the-doctor-asked-if-he/) [Nick Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-flynn/) > [Writers, especially poets, are particularly prone to madness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-flynn/writers-especially-poets-are-particularly-prone-to-madness/) [Nick Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-flynn/) > [“When I was really drunk, I started that stupid business with the bullet in my guts again. I was the only guy at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-flynn/when-i-was-really-drunk-i-started-that-stupid-business-with-the/) [Nick Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-flynn/) > [Memoir is actually the most egoless genre, even though it might seem ostensibly so much ego-driven. In order for it to succeed, you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-flynn/memoir-is-actually-the-most-egoless-genre-even-though-it-might-seem/) [Nick Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-flynn/) > [“He claims not to be drinking, but I don’t think he knows what this means.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-flynn/he-claims-not-to-be-drinking-but-i-don-t-think-he-knows-what-this/) [Nick Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-flynn/) > [By the time I make my way to the border of Mauritania, to the edge of the Sahara, I see no end to being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-flynn/by-the-time-i-make-my-way-to-the-border-of-mauritania-to-the-edge-of/) [Nick Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-flynn/) > [“(2002) In Rome, month upon month, I struggled with how to structure the book about my father (He already had the water, he just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-flynn/2002-in-rome-month-upon-month-i-struggled-with-how-to-structure-the/) [Nick Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-flynn/) > [In life you get one take, and it's perfect. It's strange, afterwards you might think I shouldn't have reacted that way, but that's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-flynn/in-life-you-get-one-take-and-it-s-perfect-it-s-strange-afterwards-you/) [Nick Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-flynn/) > [For years before I became a father, I would try to spend as much time as I could with my friends who were parents…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-flynn/for-years-before-i-became-a-father-i-would-try-to-spend-as-much-time/) [Nick Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-flynn/) > [“The boat has become supreme isolation, chosen isolation, holding myself apart from the world, which I only dimly understand anyway. I can sit on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-flynn/the-boat-has-become-supreme-isolation-chosen-isolation-holding-myself/) [Nick Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-flynn/) > [Sometimes I'd see my father, walking past my building on his way to another nowhere. I could have given him a key, offered a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-flynn/sometimes-i-d-see-my-father-walking-past-my-building-on-his-way-to/) [Nick Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-flynn/) > [Everything we do, I'd imagine, influences everything we will do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-flynn/everything-we-do-i-d-imagine-influences-everything-we-will-do/) [Nick Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-flynn/) > [There is a physics to the world, which non-fiction has a contract to stand in awe of, otherwise it becomes completely self-centered and ego-driven,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-flynn/there-is-a-physics-to-the-world-which-non-fiction-has-a-contract-to/) [Nick Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-flynn/) [Explore all 79 Nick Flynn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-flynn/) ## More Books quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep, I could buy a billion locks and finally read a book in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/if-i-had-a-dollar-for-every-time-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-buy-a/) [Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/) > [If what I write is literature, I guess you'd better emphasize the 'litter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-lunch/if-what-i-write-is-literature-i-guess-you-d-better-emphasize-the/) [Lydia Lunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-lunch/) > [My sentences got sharper and my stories more efficient, and I gradually learned to imagine the reader more clearly and to empathize with that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-thompson-walker/my-sentences-got-sharper-and-my-stories-more-efficient-and-i/) [Karen Thompson Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-thompson-walker/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [“Within the pages of books, I've journeyed to Mandalay, the Milky Way and Santa Fe, without once having to leave my armchair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-ansbro/within-the-pages-of-books-i-ve-journeyed-to-mandalay-the-milky-way/) [Kevin Ansbro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-ansbro/) > [The Rosary is the book of the blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/the-rosary-is-the-book-of-the-blind/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [“Tacitus did not write a most dangerous book. His readers made it so.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-k-krebs/tacitus-did-not-write-a-most-dangerous-book-his-readers-made-it-so/) [Christopher K. Krebs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-k-krebs/) > [“Take some books and read; that’s an immense help; and books are always good company if you have the right sort.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-may-alcott/take-some-books-and-read-that-s-an-immense-help-and-books-are-always/) [Louisa May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-may-alcott/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I have many who keep me going, I am very fortunate in this sense. There is nothing like a child who knows more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floyd-cooper/i-have-many-who-keep-me-going-i-am-very-fortunate-in-this-sense-there/) [Floyd Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floyd-cooper/) > [I think books in which people are really happy and things are going well are probably the most challenging novels there are to write,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/i-think-books-in-which-people-are-really-happy-and-things-are-going/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [“Be careful about reading health books. Some fine day you'll die of a misprint.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-herz/be-careful-about-reading-health-books-some-fine-day-you-ll-die-of-a/) [Markus Herz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-herz/) > [But editors are still the world's readers. And thus the eyes of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/but-editors-are-still-the-world-s-readers-and-thus-the-eyes-of-the/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) [Browse all 59,485 Books quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Read as much as you can. Write only when you feel the inner need to do so. And don’t ever rush into print.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Nick Flynn" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-flynn/read-as-much-as-you-can-write-only-when-you-feel-the-inner-need-to-do/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Books" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-flynn/read-as-much-as-you-can-write-only-when-you-feel-the-inner-need-to-do/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/092/nick-flynn-8678_books_read-as-much-as-you-can-write-only-when_1897760.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/092/nick-flynn-8678_books_read-as-much-as-you-can-write-only-when_1897760.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/092/nick-flynn-8678_books_read-as-much-as-you-can-write-only-when_1897760.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Read as much as you can. Write only when you feel the inner need to do so. And don’t ever rush into print.” — Nick Flynn", "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": "Nick Flynn", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-flynn/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Read as much as you can....", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-flynn/read-as-much-as-you-can-write-only-when-you-feel-the-inner-need-to-do/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-flynn/read-as-much-as-you-can-write-only-when-you-feel-the-inner-need-to-do/#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 } } ] } ```