Ambitious Quote by Sydney Lea
“You'd better discover a more important motive than publication for your work or else you'll go crazy. My sense is that you'll be writers only if you are convinced that to write is something for which there is no substitute in your life. You must therefore be ambitious for your work rather than for its promotion. The good news here is that if you assign secondary importance to publishing and primary to writing itself, you will write better, and will thus increase your odds of getting publishing.”
About This Quote
Encourages prioritizing intrinsic motivation for writing over external rewards, suggesting it leads to better work and publishing success.
In simple terms: Write for love of writing, not fame.
Key Takeaway
Focus on internal drive.
Themes
writing
motivation
authenticity
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
Ambitious:0
Convinced:0
Crazy:0
Good news:0
Ifs:0
Importance:0
Important:0
Increase:0
Life:0
Motive:0
News:0
Odds:0
Primaries:0
Promotion:0
Publication:0
Publishing:0
Substitutes:0
Writer:0
Writing:0
Convinced Write:0
Publishing Primary:0
Importance Publishing:0
Getting Publishing:0
When to use this quote
- author workshops
- career planning
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
creative process
career focus
personal fulfillment
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives your creative work?
- How do you stay motivated without external pressure?
A Different Perspective
External rewards can still dominate.
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