--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is and always has been for me a…" description: "\"There is and always has been for me a peculiar need to write. This is very different from wanting to be a writer. To be a writer always seemed somethin..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3d/patricia-wentworth-13321_ability_there-is-and-always-has-been-for-me-a-pe_2179626.jpg" --- # There is and always has been for me a peculiar need to… ![“There is and always has been for me a peculiar need to write. This is very different from wanting to be a writer. To be a writer always seemed something so far removed from my talents and abilities and imaginings that it didn't afflict me at all as a notion when I was young. But I was always…” quote by Patricia Wentworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3d/patricia-wentworth-13321_ability_there-is-and-always-has-been-for-me-a-pe_2179626.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3d/patricia-wentworth-13321_ability_there-is-and-always-has-been-for-me-a-pe_2179626.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3d/patricia-wentworth-13321_ability_there-is-and-always-has-been-for-me-a-pe_2179626.jpg) > “There is and always has been for me a peculiar need to write. This is very different from wanting to be a writer. To be a writer always seemed something so far removed from my talents and abilities and imaginings that it didn't afflict me at all as a notion when I was young. But I was always conscious that I wanted to write.” [Patricia Wentworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-wentworth/) ## 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 feels an intrinsic compulsion to write, distinct from aspiring to be a professional writer, seeing the latter as beyond her talent. **In simple terms:** She has a deep urge to write, not to become a writer. Key Takeaway Embrace the urge to write regardless of status. Themes creativity self‑expression identity talent aspiration Mood reflective introspective Type personal literary When to use this quote - journaling - personal essays - fiction drafts - blog posts - letter writing Key Concepts intrinsic motivation self‑concept artistic impulse Questions to Reflect On - What drives your writing beyond ambition? - How can you nurture this need without seeking writer identity? A Different Perspective The urge may wane without external validation or discipline. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Talent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talent/) [Talents and abilities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talents-and-abilities/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Writing was the soul of everything else ... Wanting to be a writer was wanting to be a person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-hampl/writing-was-the-soul-of-everything-else-wanting-to-be-a-writer-was/) [Patricia Hampl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-hampl/) > [I always had the urge to write. Not in the sense of wanting to be a writer, but just writing things down, getting words…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-o-farrell/i-always-had-the-urge-to-write-not-in-the-sense-of-wanting-to-be-a/) [Maggie O'Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-o-farrell/) > [“Your moustache,” I continue. “It’s kind of like me wanting to be a writer. It’s part of me. I don’t know who I’d be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-bushnell/your-moustache-i-continue-it-s-kind-of-like-me-wanting-to-be-a-writer/) [Candace Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-bushnell/) > [I was kind of an outsider growing up, and I preferred reading to being with other kids. When I was about seven, I started…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-hood/i-was-kind-of-an-outsider-growing-up-and-i-preferred-reading-to-being/) [Ann Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-hood/) > [I grew up wanting to be a writer for theatre.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-durang/i-grew-up-wanting-to-be-a-writer-for-theatre/) [Christopher Durang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-durang/) > [My transition from wanting to be a cartoonist to wanting to be a writer may have come about through that friendly opposition, that even-handed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-updike/my-transition-from-wanting-to-be-a-cartoonist-to-wanting-to-be-a/) [John Updike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-updike/) > [ I needed to do a lot of saying no. I had a lot of \[interest\] from people who I just didn't think were quite… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-donoghue/i-needed-to-do-a-lot-of-saying-no-i-had-a-lot-of-interest-from-people/) [Emma Donoghue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-donoghue/) > [And I didn't grow up wanting to be a director. I grew up wanting to be a writer, so for me, that was always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-benioff/and-i-didn-t-grow-up-wanting-to-be-a-director-i-grew-up-wanting-to-be/) [David Benioff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-benioff/) > [I never had a moment of wanting to be a writer. I wanted to be an actress, but writing was just a thing I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-pinborough/i-never-had-a-moment-of-wanting-to-be-a-writer-i-wanted-to-be-an/) [Sarah Pinborough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-pinborough/) > [The truth is, I hadn't grown up really wanting to be a writer. 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Unwillingness to revise usually signals an amateur.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sol-stein/the-biggest-difference-between-a-writer-and-a-would-be-writer-is/) [Sol Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sol-stein/) > [I'm not an autobiographical writer, but I am a writer who deals with human emotion on all levels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-not-an-autobiographical-writer-but-i-am-a-writer-who-deals-with/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Novels do take charge of the writer, and the writer is basically a kind of sheepdog just trying to keep things on track.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gregory-dunne/novels-do-take-charge-of-the-writer-and-the-writer-is-basically-a/) [John Gregory Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gregory-dunne/) > [Every great writer is a writer of history, let him treat on almost what subject he may.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-savage-landor/every-great-writer-is-a-writer-of-history-let-him-treat-on-almost/) [Walter Savage Landor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-savage-landor/) ## More by Patricia Wentworth > [I do not approve of children being beaten. It is always a confession of failure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-wentworth/i-do-not-approve-of-children-being-beaten-it-is-always-a-confession/) [Patricia Wentworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-wentworth/) > [when married people begin to talk about their rights, it means something has gone pretty far wrong between them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-wentworth/when-married-people-begin-to-talk-about-their-rights-it-means/) [Patricia Wentworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-wentworth/) > [When there is too much to say it is easier to say nothing at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-wentworth/when-there-is-too-much-to-say-it-is-easier-to-say-nothing-at-all/) [Patricia Wentworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-wentworth/) > [Love and a cold cannot be hid. It is, I believe, a Spanish proverb.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-wentworth/love-and-a-cold-cannot-be-hid-it-is-i-believe-a-spanish-proverb/) [Patricia Wentworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-wentworth/) > [It is the man who is sure of himself who disregards the opinion of the world. To be sure is to have power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-wentworth/it-is-the-man-who-is-sure-of-himself-who-disregards-the-opinion-of/) [Patricia Wentworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-wentworth/) > [Anyone who pretends not to be interested in money is either a fool or a knave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-wentworth/anyone-who-pretends-not-to-be-interested-in-money-is-either-a-fool-or/) [Patricia Wentworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-wentworth/) > [“I am extremely sorry to disturb you. I hope that you had not retired?" "I'm putting it off as long as possible. I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-wentworth/i-am-extremely-sorry-to-disturb-you-i-hope-that-you-had-not-retired-i/) [Patricia Wentworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-wentworth/) > [Any road is bound to arrive somewhere if you follow it far enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-wentworth/any-road-is-bound-to-arrive-somewhere-if-you-follow-it-far-enough/) [Patricia Wentworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-wentworth/) > [A lie that is half a truth is ever the hardest to fight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-wentworth/a-lie-that-is-half-a-truth-is-ever-the-hardest-to-fight/) [Patricia Wentworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-wentworth/) > [Mary Stuart wrote, 'My end is in my beginning.' It is easier to agree with her than to decide what is the beginning, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-wentworth/mary-stuart-wrote-my-end-is-in-my-beginning-it-is-easier-to-agree/) [Patricia Wentworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-wentworth/) > [“Henry, for heaven's sake! You can't propose when I'm fainting!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-wentworth/henry-for-heaven-s-sake-you-can-t-propose-when-i-m-fainting/) [Patricia Wentworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-wentworth/) > [When you've just made the most complete fool of yourself, you feel the need of a specially high horse to ride.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-wentworth/when-you-ve-just-made-the-most-complete-fool-of-yourself-you-feel-the/) [Patricia Wentworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-wentworth/) > [Husbands and wives quarrel a lot more than anyone thinks, and it's oftener about little things than big ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-wentworth/husbands-and-wives-quarrel-a-lot-more-than-anyone-thinks-and-it-s/) [Patricia Wentworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-wentworth/) > [My dear father always said that when everybody had a telephone nobody would have any manners, because there wouldn't be time for them. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-wentworth/my-dear-father-always-said-that-when-everybody-had-a-telephone-nobody/) [Patricia Wentworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-wentworth/) > [There is a country proverb which says, 'If you don't trouble trouble - trouble won't trouble you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-wentworth/there-is-a-country-proverb-which-says-if-you-don-t-trouble-trouble/) [Patricia Wentworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-wentworth/) [Explore all 51 Patricia Wentworth quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-wentworth/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There is and always has been for me a peculiar need to write. 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