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Busy Quote by Rosamond Lehmann

“A writer works from the material she has, but it comes from the unconscious. Everything is stored up and one never knows what comes up to the surface at a given moment. A period of gestation is certainly needed, what Wordsworth called ‘emotion recollected in tranquility.’ You cannot write about an…” quote by Rosamond Lehmann
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“A writer works from the material she has, but it comes from the unconscious. Everything is stored up and one never knows what comes up to the surface at a given moment. A period of gestation is certainly needed, what Wordsworth called ‘emotion recollected in tranquility.’ You cannot write about an experience when you are living it, suffering it. You are too busy surviving to look at it objectively. At least I can’t.”

Rosamond Lehmann

About This Quote

Source Essay: The Unconscious Writer, 1938

Writers draw from hidden subconscious material, needing distance to reflect.

In simple terms: Writing needs subconscious material and reflection.

Key Takeaway

Allow time for subconscious ideas to surface.

Themes

creativity unconscious reflection

Mood

reflective introspective

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • writing retreats
  • mindfulness meditation
  • journaling

Key Concepts

psychodynamic theory creative process

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you capture fleeting ideas?
  • What practices help you access subconscious thoughts?
A Different Perspective

May delay production deadlines.

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