Forget Quote by O. Henry
“If you can't write a story that pleases yourself, you will never please the public. But in writing the story forget the public.”
About This Quote
Writing for personal satisfaction is essential; seeking external approval compromises authenticity.
In simple terms: Write for yourself first.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize personal fulfillment.
Themes
authenticity
creativity
audience
literature
Mood
reflective
determined
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- blogging
- screenwriting
- personal journaling
Key Concepts
self‑expression
intrinsic motivation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does self‑approval affect your creative process?
- What risks arise when you chase audience praise?
A Different Perspective
Public approval can distract from artistic integrity.
![“I walked all around it [the Guggenheim Bilbao] and couldn't find one clear, clean shot. To make things worse, the weather was lousy. Nothing about this rang commercial money shot. In a situation like this there's only one thing to do: forget about pleasing editors, please yourself.” quote by Robert Polidori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/375/robert-polidori-55002_clean_i-walked-all-around-it-the-guggenheim-bi_9097.jpg)
