Blank Quote by Ursula Vernon
“The minute I sit down and think 'Okay, this must be KID SAFE!' my Muse develops Tourrette's and goes to lunch with Clive Barker, and my mind plunges into the gutter and I draw an appalling blank on anything that is not violent, gory, profanity laden, or depraved. So I think the only way I can ever do kid's books if I plan not to do kid's books. If that makes any sense.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Podcast “Writing for Kids”, 2021
Creative blocks arise when trying to force a style that feels unsafe, leading to avoidance of non‑violent content.
In simple terms: Fear of kid‑friendly work blocks creativity.
Key Takeaway
Accept discomfort, experiment gradually.
Themes
creativity
self‑doubt
genre‑constraints
Mood
anxious
determined
Type
advice
reflective
When to use this quote
- writing children's books
- writing workshops
- mind‑mapping
- freewriting sessions
Key Concepts
psychology
creative block
genre‑identity
Questions to Reflect On
- What small step can you take toward kid‑friendly writing?
- How can you reframe safety as creative freedom?
A Different Perspective
Avoiding discomfort limits growth and may reinforce avoidance.
![“If I do manage to come up with a scheme [to naming], however, I stick to it, which is why my cats are named after gods-Loki and Athena, who are, respectively, absolutely straightforward and affectionate, and dumber than dirt. I learned my lesson. I will name my next cat 'Satan' or 'Marduk' or…” quote by Ursula Vernon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/85d/ursula-vernon-21101_affectionate_if-i-do-manage-to-come-up-with-a-scheme_100482.jpg)
