Long ago Quote by Rotimi Ogunjobi
““I am never going to win a literary prize. There is no point trying anymore. I stopped trying long ago. I am too undisciplined a writer to be trusted with trophies. It would have been great to win one really; and to see my face slapped on tabloids all over the world; and to have my books measured out for sale in the shops by feet and yards instead of sold in measly single copies. But I guess I write in ways that should infuriate literary judges, critics and a good percentage of the literary community . In fairness to those guys; it must be very hard to give marks for a piece of writing that reads like no other contestant . Better to play safe instead and stamp it worthless in foot-high letters; and afterward debate a decree that future contestants be forced to undergo compulsory sanity tests.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Personal blog interview, 2023
The speaker feels hopeless about literary success, believing their unconventional style alienates judges and the community, leading to self‑imposed resignation.
In simple terms: Writer feels they’ll never win awards because they’re too unconventional.
Key Takeaway
Embrace your unique voice despite criticism.
Themes
self‑doubt
creativity
literary criticism
authenticity
Mood
frustrated
defiant
reflective
Type
motivational
self‑reflective
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- self‑publishing
- literary contests
- mental health support
Key Concepts
nonconformity
artistic integrity
validation
industry standards
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you find motivation to write without external validation?
- What aspects of your style could be refined without compromising authenticity?
A Different Perspective
Success may require balancing originality with strategic self‑promotion.
