The desire to build a house is the tired wish of a man content thenceforward with a single anchorage. The desire to build a boat is the desire of youth, unwilling yet to accept the idea of a final resting place.
Arthur RansomeRead
You write not for children but for yourself. And if by good fortune children enjoy what you enjoy, why then you are a writer of children's books.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Write primarily for your own passion and enjoyment; any success with children is a fortunate outcome.
This quote emphasizes the importance of authenticity and personal enjoyment in writing. Arthur Ransome suggests that a true writer creates for themselves first, and if their work resonates with children, it is a happy coincidence rather than the primary motivation.
Themes
WritingChildrenPassionAuthenticityEnjoyment
In practice
Example use cases
In a writing workshop, this quote can inspire participants to focus on their own interests rather than external approval.
More from Arthur Ransome
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Let us thank all those who teach in Catholic schools. Educating is an act of love; it is like giving life.
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Martha NussbaumRead
Not long ago, an English writer telephoned me from London, asking questions. One was "What's your alma mater?" I told him, "Books." You will never catch me with a free fifteen minutes in which I'm not studying something I feel might be able to help the black man.
Malcolm XRead
Grammar is a piano I play by ear.
Joan DidionRead
What we want... is for students to get more interested in things, more involved in them, more engaged in wanting to know; to have projects that they can get excited about and work on over long periods of time, to be stimulated to find things out on their own.
Howard GardnerRead
We found that process praise predicted the child's mindset and desire for challenge five years later.
Carol S. DweckRead