---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The idea of writing, to me, was, from the…"
description: "\"The idea of writing, to me, was, from the beginning, was writing something which was a little different from the ordinary exchange of speech. It was so..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a3/w-s-merwin-10641_beginning_the-idea-of-writing-to-me-was-from-the-b_1520919.png"
---

#  The idea of writing, to me, was, from the beginning, was…

![“The idea of writing, to me, was, from the beginning, was writing something which was a little different from the ordinary exchange of speech. It was something that had a certain formality, something in which the words were of interest in themselves.” quote by W. S. Merwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a3/w-s-merwin-10641_beginning_the-idea-of-writing-to-me-was-from-the-b_1520919.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a3/w-s-merwin-10641_beginning_the-idea-of-writing-to-me-was-from-the-b_1520919.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a3/w-s-merwin-10641_beginning_the-idea-of-writing-to-me-was-from-the-b_1520919.png)

> “The idea of writing, to me, was, from the beginning, was writing something which was a little different from the ordinary exchange of speech. It was something that had a certain formality, something in which the words were of interest in themselves.”

[W. S. Merwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-merwin/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Writing should be a distinct, formal act, not just casual speech.

**In simple terms:** Writing is a crafted, purposeful act.

Key Takeaway

Respect the craft of writing.

Themes

creativity formality language

Mood

contemplative inspirational

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

- teaching
- publishing
- creative writing

Key Concepts

literature philosophy

Questions to Reflect On

- When is formal writing essential?
- How to balance form and freedom?

A Different Perspective

Formality can stifle spontaneity.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

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