Never such innocence, Never before or since, As changed itself to past Without a word--the men Leaving the gardens tidy, The thousands of marriages Lasting a little while longer: Never such innocence again.
Philip LarkinRead
Writers are great lovers. They fall in love with other writers. That's how they learn to write. They take on a writer, read everything by him or her, read it over again until they understand how the writer moves, pauses, and sees. That's what being a lover is: stepping out of yourself, stepping into someone else's skin.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Writers deeply connect with each other and learn from their experiences to improve their craft.
This quote highlights the idea that the essence of writing involves a profound connection between writers, akin to love. By immersing themselves in the works of others and striving to understand different perspectives, writers enhance their skills and creativity, mirroring the intimate, empathetic connections found in romantic relationships. This process of 'stepping into someone else's skin' emphasizes the value of empathy and connection in the growth of a writer's artistry.
Themes
WritersLoveLearningEmpathyCreativity
In practice
Example use cases
In a workshop about writing techniques, a teacher could use this quote to illustrate the importance of studying other writers.
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