Black Quote by Sylvia Townsend Warner
“about ten days ago I got started on a new book, and am completely, brazenly devoted to it: my hair is uncut, my letters are unwritten, the house is a shambles, and I sit here as happy as Mrs. Jellaby, though I am in 1836, not Africa. It won't go on like this, I shall fall over some obstacle, and wake out of my dreams with a black eye and broken shins: but while it does last, I daren't interrupt it. I haven't had such a spell of writing for nearly three years.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Lolly Willowes, 1926
The writer describes an all‑consuming creative passion that disrupts daily life, yet she clings to it despite inevitable setbacks.
In simple terms: Intense focus on writing overtakes routine.
Embrace the flow but plan for balance.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- starting a novel
- overcoming writer’s block
- managing time
- handling burnout
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you sustain passion without sacrificing well‑being?
- What boundaries will protect you from burnout?
The devotion may lead to neglect of health and responsibilities.