You will become way less concerned with what other people think of you when you realize how seldom they do.
David Foster WallaceRead
I often think I can see it in myself and in other young writers, this desperate desire to please coupled with a kind of hostility to the reader.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the struggle of writers who wish to impress their audience while simultaneously feeling antagonistic towards them.
David Foster Wallace highlights a common conflict among writers, especially the young and emerging ones, where the intense desire to earn approval from readers can coexist with a subtle resentment towards those very readers. This complex dynamic speaks to the vulnerabilities of writers, illustrating how the urge to please can lead to artistic conflict, creating an internal battle that influences their work and relationship with the audience.
Themes
WritingReadersApprovalHostilityCreativity
In practice
Example use cases
In a writing workshop, discussing the challenges of connecting with your audience.
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