--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Writing is the one art form that really…" description: "\"Writing is the one art form that really should allow you to hang yourself.\" — Peter Sotos" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ce/peter-sotos-30958_art_writing-is-the-one-art-form-that-really_2528167.png" --- # Writing is the one art form that really should allow you… ![“Writing is the one art form that really should allow you to hang yourself.” quote by Peter Sotos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ce/peter-sotos-30958_art_writing-is-the-one-art-form-that-really_2528167.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ce/peter-sotos-30958_art_writing-is-the-one-art-form-that-really_2528167.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ce/peter-sotos-30958_art_writing-is-the-one-art-form-that-really_2528167.png) > “Writing is the one art form that really should allow you to hang yourself.” [Peter Sotos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-sotos/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote suggests that writing, as an art, should be so honest it could lead to self-destruction. **In simple terms:** Writing should be brutally honest. Key Takeaway Embrace raw honesty in writing. Themes authenticity self‑expression danger creativity Mood dark introspective Type cautionary provocative When to use this quote - personal journals - confessional essays - mental health writing - creative workshops Key Concepts existentialism artistic freedom Questions to Reflect On - Do you ever feel your writing is too revealing? - How can honesty be balanced with self‑care? A Different Perspective The metaphor may be hyperbolic, not literal. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Art form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-form/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Markets don't allow you to hang about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-welby/markets-don-t-allow-you-to-hang-about/) [Justin Welby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-welby/) > [I've always been such a fan of short films - in fact, I never considered that I would actually make a feature. I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-polley/i-ve-always-been-such-a-fan-of-short-films-in-fact-i-never-considered/) [Sarah Polley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-polley/) > [I know I'll always work. In what form, it really doesn't matter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsay-duncan/i-know-i-ll-always-work-in-what-form-it-really-doesn-t-matter/) [Lindsay Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsay-duncan/) > [Stillness is the only thing in this world that has no form. But then, it is not really a thing, and it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/stillness-is-the-only-thing-in-this-world-that-has-no-form-but-then/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [There were a few 6th form girls that I got with when I was I the 6th form, they were really nice, so that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-simpson/there-were-a-few-6th-form-girls-that-i-got-with-when-i-was-i-the-6th/) [Charlie Simpson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-simpson/) > [This continuity of sound and form was something that I became really interested in from working with Ligeti. He was always going on about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esa-pekka-salonen/this-continuity-of-sound-and-form-was-something-that-i-became-really/) [Esa-Pekka Salonen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esa-pekka-salonen/) > [Finding the form was really a very dynamic process. I went through a lot of shifting, trying to get it right. Because the writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-dutton/finding-the-form-was-really-a-very-dynamic-process-i-went-through-a/) [Danielle Dutton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-dutton/) > [From the ground, I'm pretty solid from both sides. My form really helps me a lot and my backend complements it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-tiafoe/from-the-ground-i-m-pretty-solid-from-both-sides-my-form-really-helps/) [Frances Tiafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-tiafoe/) > [The graphic novel form really interests me and I like the freedom that format offers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-hill/the-graphic-novel-form-really-interests-me-and-i-like-the-freedom/) [Walter Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-hill/) > [The book it reminded me of most is Henry Miller’s The Books in My Life. Like Miller, Shields manages to convey his affection for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-alexis/the-book-it-reminded-me-of-most-is-henry-miller-s-the-books-in-my/) [Andre Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-alexis/) > [Writing is the art of repeating oneself without anyone noticing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nassim-nicholas-taleb/writing-is-the-art-of-repeating-oneself-without-anyone-noticing/) [Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nassim-nicholas-taleb/) > [When I started writing about art, there were no curators.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/waldemar-januszczak/when-i-started-writing-about-art-there-were-no-curators/) Waldemar Januszczak > [“Writing and art are my lovers”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edna-stewart/writing-and-art-are-my-lovers/) [Edna Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edna-stewart/) > [“There’s a difference between the ‘art’ of writing and the ‘craft’ of writing. Art is subjective, its beauty lies in the eyes of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerard-de-marigny/there-s-a-difference-between-the-art-of-writing-and-the-craft-of/) [Gerard de Marigny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-de-marigny/) > [Writing is the art of applying the ass to the seat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-parker/writing-is-the-art-of-applying-the-ass-to-the-seat/) [Dorothy Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-parker/) ## More by Peter Sotos > [Most of my books have caused distribution and printing problems in the past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-sotos/most-of-my-books-have-caused-distribution-and-printing-problems-in/) [Peter Sotos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-sotos/) > [I don't sell enough books to pay for the lawyers, however. And these various problems finally became too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-sotos/i-don-t-sell-enough-books-to-pay-for-the-lawyers-however-and-these/) [Peter Sotos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-sotos/) > [Im not trying to do conceptual art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-sotos/im-not-trying-to-do-conceptual-art/) [Peter Sotos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-sotos/) > [“Pornography won’t be enough. Because it never is. Sooner or later, all niggers want to touch the real thing. All dogs want to smell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-sotos/pornography-won-t-be-enough-because-it-never-is-sooner-or-later-all/) [Peter Sotos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-sotos/) > [“Rats will eat birdfeed for as long as they're mazed and fed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-sotos/rats-will-eat-birdfeed-for-as-long-as-they-re-mazed-and-fed/) [Peter Sotos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-sotos/) > [If you look at the publishers I've worked with, generally, they're a great bunch. Creation is unlike any other publishing house you can think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-sotos/if-you-look-at-the-publishers-i-ve-worked-with-generally-they-re-a/) [Peter Sotos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-sotos/) > [I don't publish the books to make money, not at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-sotos/i-don-t-publish-the-books-to-make-money-not-at-all/) [Peter Sotos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-sotos/) > [But, right now, the situation is that almost all of my writing is out of print.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-sotos/but-right-now-the-situation-is-that-almost-all-of-my-writing-is-out/) [Peter Sotos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-sotos/) > [Further, for once, I like the idea that people who think I'm a constant voice for the furthering of the imagination have to see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-sotos/further-for-once-i-like-the-idea-that-people-who-think-i-m-a-constant/) [Peter Sotos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-sotos/) > [Further, I'm obsessed with how language contorts and creates bodies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-sotos/further-i-m-obsessed-with-how-language-contorts-and-creates-bodies/) [Peter Sotos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-sotos/) > [The book grew out of the introduction I did for Brady's Gates of Janus. I knew that the writing in that introduction had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-sotos/the-book-grew-out-of-the-introduction-i-did-for-brady-s-gates-of/) [Peter Sotos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-sotos/) > [My introduction to the Brady book was an attempt to nail the exact same idea since Brady addressed the point. And since I write…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-sotos/my-introduction-to-the-brady-book-was-an-attempt-to-nail-the-exact/) [Peter Sotos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-sotos/) > [And books that were published in much larger numbers than Selfish, Little are hard to find. And publishers who wanted to publish my last…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-sotos/and-books-that-were-published-in-much-larger-numbers-than-selfish/) [Peter Sotos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-sotos/) > [Once again, I think there is little art being done that really owns up to such intense possibilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-sotos/once-again-i-think-there-is-little-art-being-done-that-really-owns-up/) [Peter Sotos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-sotos/) > [I'm not trying to do conceptual art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-sotos/i-m-not-trying-to-do-conceptual-art/) [Peter Sotos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-sotos/) [Explore all 17 Peter Sotos quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-sotos/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) Taf Teh > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) [Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Writing is the one art form that really should allow you to hang yourself.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Peter Sotos" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-sotos/writing-is-the-one-art-form-that-really-should-allow-you-to-hang/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Art" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-sotos/writing-is-the-one-art-form-that-really-should-allow-you-to-hang/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ce/peter-sotos-30958_art_writing-is-the-one-art-form-that-really_2528167.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ce/peter-sotos-30958_art_writing-is-the-one-art-form-that-really_2528167.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ce/peter-sotos-30958_art_writing-is-the-one-art-form-that-really_2528167.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Writing is the one art form that really should allow you to hang yourself.” — Peter Sotos", "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": "Peter Sotos", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-sotos/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Writing is the one art form...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-sotos/writing-is-the-one-art-form-that-really-should-allow-you-to-hang/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-sotos/writing-is-the-one-art-form-that-really-should-allow-you-to-hang/#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 } } ] } ```