Ask yourself Quote by Ray Bradbury
“People who take books on sex to bed become frigid. You get self-conscious. You can't think a story. You can't think, "I shall do a story to improve mankind." Well, it's nonsense. All the great stories, all the really worthwhile plays, are emotional experiences. If you have to ask yourself whether or not you love a girl or you love a boy, forget it. You don't. A story is the same way. You either feel a story and need to write it, or you better not write it.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Interview with Ray Bradbury, 1975
Writing should arise from genuine emotional experience, not from forced or self‑conscious motives.
In simple terms: Write from feeling, not from self‑consciousness.
Key Takeaway
Write only when emotionally compelled.
Themes
creativity
authenticity
emotion
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- writing a novel
- screenwriting
- personal journaling
- teaching creative writing
Key Concepts
artistic integrity
emotional truth
creative process
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you write when you feel moved?
- How does self‑consciousness hinder creativity?
A Different Perspective
If you force a story, it may lack depth and resonance.
