Conscious Quote by Raymond Chandler
“Writers who get written about become self-conscious. They develop a regrettable habit of looking at themselves through the eyes of other people. They are no longer alone, they have an investment in critical praise, and they think they must protect it. This leads to a diffusion of effort. The writer watches himself as he works. He grows more subtle and he pays for it by loss of organic dash.”
About This Quote
Writers become self‑conscious when others critique them, leading to over‑analysis and loss of spontaneity.
In simple terms: Critique can cause writers to overthink and lose spark.
Key Takeaway
Balance feedback with authentic voice.
Themes
creativity
critique
self‑consciousness
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
literary
reflective
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- publishing
- social media
- peer review
Key Concepts
literary theory
psychology of art
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you protect your creative instinct?
- When should you ignore criticism?
A Different Perspective
Too much focus on approval can stifle originality.
![“Hammett was the ace performer... He is said to have lacked heart; yet the story he himself thought the most of [The Glass Key] is the record of a man's devotion to a friend. He was spare, frugal, hard-boiled, but he did over and over again what only the best writers can ever do at all. He wrote…” quote by Raymond Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/882/raymond-chandler-629_dashiel-hammett_hammett-was-the-ace-performer-he-is-said_20171.jpg)
![“He [James Cain] is every kind of writer I detest...a Proust in greasy overalls, a dirty little boy with a piece of chalk and a board fence and nobody looking.” quote by Raymond Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/614/raymond-chandler-629_writing_he-james-cain-is-every-kind-of-writer-i_41185.jpg)
