--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm a failed poet. Maybe every novelist…" description: "\"I'm a failed poet. Maybe every novelist wants to write poetry first, finds he can't and then tries the short story which is the most demanding form aft..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd2/william-faulkner-306_doe_i-m-a-failed-poet-maybe-every-novelist-w_1486866.png" --- # I'm a failed poet. Maybe every novelist wants to write… ![“I'm a failed poet. Maybe every novelist wants to write poetry first, finds he can't and then tries the short story which is the most demanding form after poetry. And failing at that, only then does he take up novel writing.” quote by William Faulkner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd2/william-faulkner-306_doe_i-m-a-failed-poet-maybe-every-novelist-w_1486866.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd2/william-faulkner-306_doe_i-m-a-failed-poet-maybe-every-novelist-w_1486866.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd2/william-faulkner-306_doe_i-m-a-failed-poet-maybe-every-novelist-w_1486866.png) > “I'm a failed poet. Maybe every novelist wants to write poetry first, finds he can't and then tries the short story which is the most demanding form after poetry. And failing at that, only then does he take up novel writing.” [William Faulkner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-faulkner/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote suggests that many writers start with poetry, struggle, move to short stories, and finally settle on novels after mastering earlier forms. **In simple terms:** Writers often progress from poetry to short stories before novels. Key Takeaway Recognize the value of mastering each form. Themes writing development creativity Mood reflective analytical Type observational inspirational When to use this quote - creative writing courses - personal writing practice - literary analysis Key Concepts form hierarchy skill acquisition Questions to Reflect On - Do you think mastering poetry improves novel writing? - How does each form build different skills? A Different Perspective Not all authors follow this linear path; some begin directly with novels. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel/) [Novel writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel-writing/) [Novelists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novelists/) [Poet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poet/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [Short story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/short-story/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [When I was a child, I loved making stories, so I thought maybe I would be a novelist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hirokazu-kore-eda/when-i-was-a-child-i-loved-making-stories-so-i-thought-maybe-i-would/) [Hirokazu Kore-eda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hirokazu-kore-eda/) > [So I really began as a failed poet - although when I first wanted to be a writer, I learned to write prose by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholson-baker/so-i-really-began-as-a-failed-poet-although-when-i-first-wanted-to-be/) [Nicholson Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholson-baker/) > [If I begin a poem, "I am a donkey," reason kicks in and says, "She is taking on the persona of a donkey." 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