Grasp Quote by Tracy K. Smith
“As I've been teaching longer and longer, I realize I learn so much from the voices I'm naturally drawn to, the writers I love on an instinctive level - but I also learn so much from the writers that I have to work to grasp.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Writer's Voice", 2020
Teaching reveals that both instinctual and challenging literary influences shape a writer’s growth, urging openness to diverse voices.
In simple terms: Learning comes from both natural favorites and difficult texts.
Balance comfort with challenge in reading.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- classroom teaching
- personal writing practice
- literary workshops
- reading groups
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Which challenging author could expand your view?
- How do favorite writers inform your style?
Focusing only on familiar writers limits perspective.