We're always attracted to the edges of what we are, out by the edges where it's a little raw and nervy.
E. L. DoctorowRead
One of the things I had to learn as a writer was to trust the act of writing. To put myself in the position of writing to find out what I was writing.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Trusting the process of writing helps discover one's true voice and ideas.
This quote emphasizes the importance of embracing the act of writing as a journey of exploration rather than just a means to produce finished work. E. L. Doctorow suggests that understanding what you want to write often comes from the act of writing itself, encouraging writers to be open to the insights that arise during the creative process.
Themes
WritingTrustProcessCreativityExploration
In practice
Example use cases
During a writing workshop, I shared this quote to encourage participants to trust their unique writing journeys.
More from E. L. Doctorow
All quotes →In fiction, you know, there are no borders. You can go anywhere.
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Books are acts of composition: you compose them. You make music: the music is called fiction.
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We are all good friends. Friendship is what endures. Shared ideals, respect for the whole character of a human being.
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I've known several cases of writers who decide to write about something and they research the hell out of it and when they're ready to write, they can't move because they are so burdened. I start writing. Whatever I need somehow comes to hand.
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Things that appear on the front page of the newspaper as 'fact' are far more dangerous than the games played by a novelist, and can lead to wars.
E. L. DoctorowRead
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