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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I've read about 80 books a year for the past 50 years. I come from cultural breeding. I don't have a cellphone. When you spend all your time checking your cellphone messages, or updating your Facebook (of course I don't have a Facebook page) then you don't have any time for reading.
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Pleasant is a rainy winter's day, within doors! The best study for such a day, or the best amusement,βcall it which you will,βis a book of travels, describing scenes the most unlike that sombre one
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Kids don't make up 100 percent of our population, but they do make up 100 percent of our future.
Zig ZiglarRead
I loved everything. I loved sciences and I loved humanities. But ultimately, I felt that in the humanities, you know, you're writing about things that already exist. But in the sciences, you're discovering things that no one has known before. Ultimately I chose psychology because it seemed to combine science with things that I liked to think about.
Carol S. DweckRead