--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm not that interested in writing for…" description: "\"I'm not that interested in writing for myself. That's not where my impetus as a writer comes from.\" — Zoe Kazan" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/993/zoe-kazan-3186_writing_i-m-not-that-interested-in-writing-for-m_1040356.jpg" --- # I'm not that interested in writing for myself. That's not… ![“I'm not that interested in writing for myself. That's not where my impetus as a writer comes from.” quote by Zoe Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/993/zoe-kazan-3186_writing_i-m-not-that-interested-in-writing-for-m_1040356.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/993/zoe-kazan-3186_writing_i-m-not-that-interested-in-writing-for-m_1040356.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/993/zoe-kazan-3186_writing_i-m-not-that-interested-in-writing-for-m_1040356.jpg) > “I'm not that interested in writing for myself. That's not where my impetus as a writer comes from.” [Zoe Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-kazan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A writer’s drive comes from external purpose or audience, not personal interest, shaping their creative direction. **In simple terms:** Writing is motivated by purpose, not self. Key Takeaway Find a purpose beyond self‑interest. Themes creativity purpose audience motivation Mood introspective motivational Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - publishing - screenwriting - personal branding - teaching Key Concepts artist identity external validation creative process Questions to Reflect On - What purpose drives your creative work? - How can you balance personal fulfillment with audience expectations? A Different Perspective Focusing solely on external purpose may neglect personal growth and authenticity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I always think about myself as a writer; that comes out of being a reader first, and I don't think I kind of got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junot-diaz/i-always-think-about-myself-as-a-writer-that-comes-out-of-being-a/) [Junot Diaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junot-diaz/) > [The fact that I am a writer comes from the experience of being cut away from my roots and living in Venezuela, where I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabel-allende/the-fact-that-i-am-a-writer-comes-from-the-experience-of-being-cut/) [Isabel Allende](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabel-allende/) > [I'm a pretty decent writer. It comes easy to me. I don't agonize over sentences. I write like I talk. I try to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-bourdain/i-m-a-pretty-decent-writer-it-comes-easy-to-me-i-don-t-agonize-over/) [Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bourdain/) > [In the moment of reading, the writer comes up to the surface and the reader comes up to the surface and they kiss, like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/in-the-moment-of-reading-the-writer-comes-up-to-the-surface-and-the/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [When a new writer comes onto a project, he'll make wholesale changes just to mark the territory or for greater credit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-spaihts/when-a-new-writer-comes-onto-a-project-he-ll-make-wholesale-changes/) [Jon Spaihts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-spaihts/) > [We never know how much has been missing from our lives until a true writer comes along.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-kazin/we-never-know-how-much-has-been-missing-from-our-lives-until-a-true/) [Alfred Kazin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-kazin/) > [When a young writer comes up to me with an ambitious idea for a 20-book series, I usually tell him to maybe try something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/when-a-young-writer-comes-up-to-me-with-an-ambitious-idea-for-a-20/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [“I love a lots of things about being a writer! The thrill of seeing characters come to life, and the satisfaction as a story…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-hart/i-love-a-lots-of-things-about-being-a-writer-the-thrill-of-seeing/) [Jessica Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-hart/) > [I don't know where this thing about me being a travel writer comes from. It's nothing to do with me; I hate travel writing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-osborne/i-don-t-know-where-this-thing-about-me-being-a-travel-writer-comes/) [Lawrence Osborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-osborne/) > [Occasionally a student writer comes up with something really beautiful and moving, and you won't know for years if it was an accident or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-nemerov/occasionally-a-student-writer-comes-up-with-something-really/) [Howard Nemerov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-nemerov/) > [Well, in features, and in writing especially, it's often the style of the writer comes in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-loder/well-in-features-and-in-writing-especially-it-s-often-the-style-of/) [Kurt Loder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-loder/) > [I used to say I wasn't interested in writing about characters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-healey/i-used-to-say-i-wasn-t-interested-in-writing-about-characters/) [Emma Healey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-healey/) > [I also have just my own limits about stuff. I'm not interested in writing graphically about sexual assault for example. I feel like the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-chaon/i-also-have-just-my-own-limits-about-stuff-i-m-not-interested-in/) [Dan Chaon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-chaon/) > [I'm not interested in writing for adults. I like them as people! I don't like the way they publish books in that world. Nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/i-m-not-interested-in-writing-for-adults-i-like-them-as-people-i-don/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [I'm not really interested in writing or reading about people who are nice and easy. I like the problem children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jami-attenberg/i-m-not-really-interested-in-writing-or-reading-about-people-who-are/) [Jami Attenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jami-attenberg/) ## More by Zoe Kazan > [Maybe this is a way of gaslighting myself, but I think of it this way: In certain circles, my grandpa was considered to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-kazan/maybe-this-is-a-way-of-gaslighting-myself-but-i-think-of-it-this-way/) [Zoe Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-kazan/) > [There aren't a lot of movies being made about women, period. Most of the time, the roles that are available are the sidekick, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-kazan/there-aren-t-a-lot-of-movies-being-made-about-women-period-most-of/) [Zoe Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-kazan/) > [Every role requires its own set of tools, and I think, because of that, it is very hard to ever feel totally prepared or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-kazan/every-role-requires-its-own-set-of-tools-and-i-think-because-of-that/) [Zoe Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-kazan/) > [I love bad movies, whereas going to the theater for me is a painful experience. I think it's really hard to sit and watch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-kazan/i-love-bad-movies-whereas-going-to-the-theater-for-me-is-a-painful/) [Zoe Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-kazan/) > [I think the written word is my first love. I was just a very imagination - centered child and a big part of that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-kazan/i-think-the-written-word-is-my-first-love-i-was-just-a-very/) [Zoe Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-kazan/) > [If I'm not working, I don't feel complete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-kazan/if-i-m-not-working-i-don-t-feel-complete/) [Zoe Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-kazan/) > [I think, a lot of times, directors assume that whatever they get from you the first time, whether it be at an audition or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-kazan/i-think-a-lot-of-times-directors-assume-that-whatever-they-get-from/) [Zoe Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-kazan/) > [I think from my earliest childhood, I liked to tell stories, put on plays and write things. It's funny to think of it as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-kazan/i-think-from-my-earliest-childhood-i-liked-to-tell-stories-put-on/) [Zoe Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-kazan/) > [I'm a very serious person. Unfortunately, sometimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-kazan/i-m-a-very-serious-person-unfortunately-sometimes/) [Zoe Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-kazan/) > [When I would get close on a part but wouldn't get it, I would be like, "They made a mistake," which is not how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-kazan/when-i-would-get-close-on-a-part-but-wouldn-t-get-it-i-would-be-like/) [Zoe Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-kazan/) > [If I ever feel that acting is just soul-sucking and I don't want to do it anymore, I could stop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-kazan/if-i-ever-feel-that-acting-is-just-soul-sucking-and-i-don-t-want-to/) [Zoe Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-kazan/) > [I'm definitely feeling whatever's going on pretty hard. It's like playing Barbies. You're holding the Barbies, but all of the action is happening inside…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-kazan/i-m-definitely-feeling-whatever-s-going-on-pretty-hard-it-s-like/) [Zoe Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-kazan/) > [My hero is Michelle Williams, who I grew close to when we did 'Meek's Cutoff.' She's an extraordinary actor and mom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-kazan/my-hero-is-michelle-williams-who-i-grew-close-to-when-we-did-meek-s/) [Zoe Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-kazan/) > [Writing-wise, I like to have a lot of things on the burners at once, because when I hit a wall, I like to move…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-kazan/writing-wise-i-like-to-have-a-lot-of-things-on-the-burners-at-once/) [Zoe Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-kazan/) > [I love to act and that's sort of my first love. That's what I started out doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-kazan/i-love-to-act-and-that-s-sort-of-my-first-love-that-s-what-i-started/) [Zoe Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-kazan/) [Explore all 137 Zoe Kazan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-kazan/) ## More Writer quotes > [“Within the pages of books, I've journeyed to Mandalay, the Milky Way and Santa Fe, without once having to leave my armchair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-ansbro/within-the-pages-of-books-i-ve-journeyed-to-mandalay-the-milky-way/) [Kevin Ansbro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-ansbro/) > [I wrote when I was a young teen, but I didn't put an eye on the available markets until I was seventeen. The next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reed/i-wrote-when-i-was-a-young-teen-but-i-didn-t-put-an-eye-on-the/) [Robert Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reed/) > [Regardless of the criticisms I receive from the left, the right and the middle, I think it's important to maintain a prolific writing jab,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ishmael-reed/regardless-of-the-criticisms-i-receive-from-the-left-the-right-and/) [Ishmael Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ishmael-reed/) > [“Tacitus did not write a most dangerous book. His readers made it so.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-k-krebs/tacitus-did-not-write-a-most-dangerous-book-his-readers-made-it-so/) Christopher K. Krebs > [“Take some books and read; that’s an immense help; and books are always good company if you have the right sort.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-may-alcott/take-some-books-and-read-that-s-an-immense-help-and-books-are-always/) [Louisa May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-may-alcott/) > [If I don't know who I'm writing for, I make it up and pick somebody I'm writing for. That's really the only way to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-mazin/if-i-don-t-know-who-i-m-writing-for-i-make-it-up-and-pick-somebody-i/) [Craig Mazin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-mazin/) > [At the very beginning, I was a page at Letterman, and I freelanced for any place that would let me write any word. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/at-the-very-beginning-i-was-a-page-at-letterman-and-i-freelanced-for/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [I think books in which people are really happy and things are going well are probably the most challenging novels there are to write,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/i-think-books-in-which-people-are-really-happy-and-things-are-going/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [“Be careful about reading health books. Some fine day you'll die of a misprint.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-herz/be-careful-about-reading-health-books-some-fine-day-you-ll-die-of-a/) Markus Herz > [I don't think I have made as much of my life as I should have. I should have written more books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-m-schlesinger-jr/i-don-t-think-i-have-made-as-much-of-my-life-as-i-should-have-i/) [Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-m-schlesinger-jr/) > [But editors are still the world's readers. And thus the eyes of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/but-editors-are-still-the-world-s-readers-and-thus-the-eyes-of-the/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) > [I might, by chance, write something just as shoddy; But then I wouldn't show it to everybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/i-might-by-chance-write-something-just-as-shoddy-but-then-i-wouldn-t/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) > [“Note found in the patron suggestion box: "You have SIGNS up near the computers that say BE QUIET, but people don't be quiet. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-sheridan/note-found-in-the-patron-suggestion-box-you-have-signs-up-near-the/) [Gina Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-sheridan/) [Browse all 43,858 Writer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'm not that interested in writing for myself. 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