I'm a storyteller who wants to tell untold, meaningful, universal stories in unforgettable ways. I want to do it all, study it all, and find my place in it.
Interpretation
The quote expresses a desire to share important stories that resonate universally and leave a significant impact.
Janelle Monae's quote captures the essence of a storyteller's ambition to unearth and convey narratives that are both meaningful and universal. It reflects a deep commitment to artistic expression, illustrating a vision of storytelling that transcends personal experiences to connect with larger, shared human truths. The insistence on doing it all and studying everything suggests a relentless pursuit of knowledge and understanding, emphasizing the importance of finding one's place in the vast tapestry of existence through art.
In practice
In a speech about creative arts, one might quote this to inspire young writers.
I have a great body, I really do. But I want to be taken seriously as an artist, and wearing anything that shows it off will be a distraction from the music. That's how my signature uniform, my tuxedo, came about. It's classic and timeless. You'll see me in black, white, and a pop of color on my lips. That pop adds a little magic.
Redefine what it means to be sexy and what it means to be a woman. Showing my skin is not what makes me sexy. I like skirts and dresses just like everyone else, but I had a message I needed to put out there. It was up to me to show people and young girls there was another way.
Even if it makes others comfortable, I will LOVE who I am
I have not lost any of my crazy, fearless, raw, soulful, eclectic side and I plan on continuing to tell universal stories in an unforgettable way.
Perfection is often the enemy of greatness.
It's unfortunate that a lot of people think African-American female artists are monolithically R&B this-or-that, don't have to do anything by default.
My goal is for 'Heavy Rain' to leave an imprint in you and change a little bit of who you are and how you see things. Maybe the key characters and key moments will leave a trace in you. If you don't have this ambition as a video-game creator, then maybe you should do something else, because this is what creation and art is about.
In the traditional Islamic world, the hierarchy of the arts was not based on whether they were "fine" or "industrial" or "minor". It was based upon the effect of art on the soul of the human being.
What I always wanted to get seen as was as a good actor, when it was the acting I was doing. When I'm writing, I want to try to be seen as a good writer.
Fundamentally, I think of myself as a storyteller, not a writer.
Poetry operates by hints and dark suggestions. It is full of secrets and hidden formulae, like a witch's brew.
The arts are neglected because they are based on perception, and perception is disdained because it is not assumed to involve thought.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.