--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't know where my ideas come from…" description: "\"I don't know where my ideas come from, but I know where they come to. They come to my desk, and if I'm not there, they go away again.\" — Philip Pullman" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e66/philip-pullman-525_desks_i-don-t-know-where-my-ideas-come-from-bu_2505610.png" --- # I don't know where my ideas come from, but I know where… ![“I don't know where my ideas come from, but I know where they come to. They come to my desk, and if I'm not there, they go away again.” quote by Philip Pullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e66/philip-pullman-525_desks_i-don-t-know-where-my-ideas-come-from-bu_2505610.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e66/philip-pullman-525_desks_i-don-t-know-where-my-ideas-come-from-bu_2505610.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e66/philip-pullman-525_desks_i-don-t-know-where-my-ideas-come-from-bu_2505610.png) > “I don't know where my ideas come from, but I know where they come to. They come to my desk, and if I'm not there, they go away again.” [Philip Pullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-pullman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He acknowledges that ideas arrive unbidden, but they must be captured promptly before they vanish. **In simple terms:** Ideas appear spontaneously and must be recorded quickly. Key Takeaway Capture ideas as soon as they arise. Themes creativity writing mindset Mood reflective inspirational Type creative practical When to use this quote - writing sessions - brainstorming - daily journaling Key Concepts spontaneity idea capture focus Questions to Reflect On - How do you ensure you don’t miss an idea? - What tools help you retain thoughts? A Different Perspective Ideas can be fleeting and hard to recall later. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Come Desk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/come-desk-1105081/) [Desk Away](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desk-away-1105080/) [Desks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desks/) [Going away](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/going-away/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Ideas Come](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas-come/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Know Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-ideas-461339/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Keep a small can of WD-40 on your desk-away from any open flames-to remind yourself that if you don't write daily, you will get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-singleton/keep-a-small-can-of-wd-40-on-your-desk-away-from-any-open-flames-to/) [George Singleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-singleton/) > [The truth is, it is hard to know where ideas come from.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lanchester/the-truth-is-it-is-hard-to-know-where-ideas-come-from/) [John Lanchester](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lanchester/) > [I don't want to be one of these people who's like, "Man, I don't know where my ideas come from and I don't know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rees/i-don-t-want-to-be-one-of-these-people-who-s-like-man-i-don-t-know/) [David Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rees/) > [One of the most common questions writers are asked is "Where do you get your ideas?" But the sad truth is, we don't know.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-westerfeld/one-of-the-most-common-questions-writers-are-asked-is-where-do-you/) [Scott Westerfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-westerfeld/) > [I don't really know where my ideas come from. I start with a time and a place. That's what I need to get started,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/i-don-t-really-know-where-my-ideas-come-from-i-start-with-a-time-and/) [Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/) > [“I don't know where ideas come from. They come from outer space or God, if you like, or from my subconscious mind. But I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-adams/i-don-t-know-where-ideas-come-from-they-come-from-outer-space-or-god/) [Richard Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-adams/) > [The fact is, I don't know where my ideas come from. Nor does any writer. 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I think I'm curious about things all the time; I think I'm always curious,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-l-brooks/i-don-t-know-whether-i-have-ideas-all-the-time-i-think-i-m-curious/) [James L. Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-l-brooks/) > [I know that some of the ideas that I have are not always going to be seen as a good idea by everybody but,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandi-rhodes/i-know-that-some-of-the-ideas-that-i-have-are-not-always-going-to-be/) [Brandi Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandi-rhodes/) > [Follow your instincts - you never know if your ideas will work out unless you try them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lulu-guinness/follow-your-instincts-you-never-know-if-your-ideas-will-work-out/) [Lulu Guinness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lulu-guinness/) > [We all know our ideas can be crazy, but are they crazy enough?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kobi-yamada/we-all-know-our-ideas-can-be-crazy-but-are-they-crazy-enough/) [Kobi Yamada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kobi-yamada/) > [People must know that their ideas will be listened to and, if they have merit, acted upon. 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And we all find a way of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-pullman/the-question-authors-get-asked-more-than-any-other-is-where-do-you/) [Philip Pullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-pullman/) > [“We are all subject to the fates. But we must all act as if we are not,” said the witch, “or die of despair.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-pullman/we-are-all-subject-to-the-fates-but-we-must-all-act-as-if-we-are-not/) [Philip Pullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-pullman/) > [Lonely? I don't know. They tell me this is cold. I don't know what cold is, because I don't freeze. 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