--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I am always chilled and astonished by the…" description: "\"I am always chilled and astonished by the would-be writers who ask me for advice and admit, quite blithely, that they \"don't have time to read.\" This i..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f7/stephen-king-13_advice_i-am-always-chilled-and-astonished-by-th_3192140.jpg" --- # I am always chilled and astonished by the would-be writers… ![“I am always chilled and astonished by the would-be writers who ask me for advice and admit, quite blithely, that they "don't have time to read." This is like a guy starting up Mount Everest saying that he didn't have time to buy any rope or pitons.” quote by Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f7/stephen-king-13_advice_i-am-always-chilled-and-astonished-by-th_3192140.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f7/stephen-king-13_advice_i-am-always-chilled-and-astonished-by-th_3192140.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f7/stephen-king-13_advice_i-am-always-chilled-and-astonished-by-th_3192140.jpg) > “I am always chilled and astonished by the would-be writers who ask me for advice and admit, quite blithely, that they "don't have time to read." This is like a guy starting up Mount Everest saying that he didn't have time to buy any rope or pitons.” [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The author compares writers who neglect reading to climbers attempting Everest without equipment, highlighting the absurdity of seeking advice without foundational knowledge. **In simple terms:** Writers must read to write well. Key Takeaway Read extensively before seeking advice. Themes writing learning preparation Mood inspirational cautionary Type advisory motivational When to use this quote - writing workshops - self‑education - creative projects - author mentorship Key Concepts literature skill acquisition Questions to Reflect On - How does reading shape a writer’s voice? - Is reading essential for all creative fields? A Different Perspective Some writers develop unique voices without extensive reading. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advice/) [Ask me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ask-me/) [Astonished Writers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astonished-writers-5891827/) [Everest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/everest/) [Everest Saying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/everest-saying-5891828/) [Guy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guy/) [Mount everest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mount-everest/) [Read Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/read-like/) [Rope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rope/) [Starting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/starting/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Would be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/would-be/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writers/) [Writers Ask](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writers-ask-1024524/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Placing my buttocks on a cold toilet seat is my climbing Mount Everest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/placing-my-buttocks-on-a-cold-toilet-seat-is-my-climbing-mount-everest/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“In comparison, Mount Everest, though 29,029 feet above sea level, rests on the 17,000-foot-high Tibetan plateau and rises just 12,000 feet from base to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-hall/in-comparison-mount-everest-though-29-029-feet-above-sea-level-rests/) [Andy Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-hall/) > [The sheer volume of evidence for survival after death is so immense that to ignore it is like standing at the foot of Mount…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-wilson/the-sheer-volume-of-evidence-for-survival-after-death-is-so-immense/) [Colin Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-wilson/) > [There is already a mountain of evidence that Saddam Hussein is gathering weapons for the purpose of using them. 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