--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't remember reading much at all…" description: "\"I don't remember reading much at all during the writing of Eileen. I go through several years-long dry spells and I don't feel like reading at all. I w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bc/ottessa-moshfegh-8200_books_i-don-t-remember-reading-much-at-all-dur_1546485.jpg" --- # I don't remember reading much at all during the writing of… ![“I don't remember reading much at all during the writing of Eileen. I go through several years-long dry spells and I don't feel like reading at all. I was working part-time for a guy in Venice, California while I drafted Eileen. He wanted help in writing his memoir. The research had a lot to do…” quote by Ottessa Moshfegh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bc/ottessa-moshfegh-8200_books_i-don-t-remember-reading-much-at-all-dur_1546485.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bc/ottessa-moshfegh-8200_books_i-don-t-remember-reading-much-at-all-dur_1546485.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bc/ottessa-moshfegh-8200_books_i-don-t-remember-reading-much-at-all-dur_1546485.jpg) > “I don't remember reading much at all during the writing of Eileen. I go through several years-long dry spells and I don't feel like reading at all. I was working part-time for a guy in Venice, California while I drafted Eileen. He wanted help in writing his memoir. The research had a lot to do with the 60s, so that must have informed my sense of the place and time in my novel, and perhaps even the memoir point-of-view. He was also from New England. It was a fun job. I learned a lot about motorcycle clubs, Charles Manson, hopping freight trains.” [Ottessa Moshfegh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ottessa-moshfegh/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The author describes a period of low reading and creative dry spells while drafting her novel, noting how a side job researching a 1960s memoir informed her work. **In simple terms:** She struggled to read while writing, but a part-time job gave her useful cultural insights. Key Takeaway Embrace unconventional research to enrich creative work. Themes creativity research dry\_spells inspiration novel\_writing Mood reflective introspective informative Type personal\_anecdote creative\_process learning\_experience When to use this quote - writing a novel - part-time research job - exploring subcultures - gaining historical perspective Key Concepts cultural\_historical\_context personal\_experience learning\_by\_doing Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance reading with active research? - What alternative sources can inspire your writing? 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The research had a lot to do with the 60s, so that must have informed my sense of the place and time in my novel, and perhaps even the memoir point-of-view. He was also from New England. It was a fun job. 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