I began writing when I was still in the British Foreign Service, and it was then understood that even if you wrote about butterfly collecting, you used another name.
John Le CarreRead
I don't know the literary world; I was scared of being confronted with famous names, not knowing what they had written. It was occupied territory I was entering.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The author expresses fear and apprehension about entering the literary world, feeling intimidated by established writers.
In this quote, John Le Carre captures the anxiety that can accompany the pursuit of a creative career, particularly in literature. The fear of inadequacy when faced with the works and reputations of well-known authors can make the literary landscape seem daunting and off-limits, referred to here as 'occupied territory'. This sentiment resonates with many aspiring writers who may feel overwhelmed by the legacies of those who came before them.
Themes
FearLiteratureWritingIntimidationCreativity
In practice
Example use cases
Using this quote in a discussion about the challenges faced by new writers at a literary conference.
More from John Le Carre
All quotes →In every war zone that I've been in, there has been a reality and then there has been the public perception of why the war was being fought. In every crisis, the issues have been far more complex than the public has been allowed to know.
John Le CarreRead
The cat sat on the mat is not a story. The cat sat on the other cat’s mat is a story.
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The monsters of our childhood do not fade away, neither are they ever wholly monstrous.
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Coming home from very lonely places, all of us go a little mad: whether from great personal success, or just an all-night drive, we are the sole survivors of a world no one else has ever seen.
John Le CarreRead
If I had to put a name to it, I would wish that all my books were entertainments. I think the first thing you've got to do is grab the reader by the ear, and make him sit down and listen. Make him laugh, make him feel. We all want to be entertained at a very high level.
John Le CarreRead
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