Bridges Quote by Zadie Smith
“Other people’s words are so important. And then without warning they stop being important, along with all those words of yours that their words prompted you to write. Much of the excitement of a new novel lies in the repudiation of the one written before. Other people’s words are the bridge you use to cross from where you were to wherever you’re going.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, Zadie Smith, 2015
Words from others shape our writing, but their influence fades, allowing us to break from previous ideas and progress forward.
In simple terms: Other people's words guide us, then we move beyond them.
Key Takeaway
Embrace influence, then create your own voice.
Themes
creativity
influence
growth
Mood
inspired
determined
Type
analytical
motivational
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- reading groups
- draft revisions
- career transitions
Key Concepts
literary evolution
intertextuality
self‑expression
Questions to Reflect On
- When do you let others' ideas inspire versus dominate?
- How can you balance homage and innovation?
A Different Perspective
Overreliance on others can stifle originality.
