Try any goddam thing you like, no matter how boringly normal or outrageous. If it works, fine. If it doesn't, toss it. Toss it even if you love it.
Stephen KingRead
Whatever came to mind, whatever came to hand, I would read.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of reading everything available to broaden one's knowledge and understanding.
Stephen King's quote highlights the value of being open to all sources of knowledge and information. By stating that he would read 'whatever came to mind, whatever came to hand,' King underscores the idea that exposure to diverse materials can enhance creativity, improve writing skills, and cultivate a richer perspective on life and storytelling. It suggests that the act of reading is fundamental to personal and artistic growth.
Themes
ReadingKnowledgeCreativityLearningGrowth
In practice
Example use cases
During a book club meeting to inspire members to read more widely.
More from Stephen King
All quotes →Eddie discovered one of his childhood's great truths. Grownups are the real monsters, he thought.
Stephen KingRead
Hairstyles change, and skirt lengths, and slang, but high school administrations? Never.
Stephen KingRead
Description begins in the writer’s imagination, but should finish in the reader’s.
Stephen KingRead
That's the day's business. Thinking. Thinking and isolation, because it doesn't matter if you pass the time of day with someone or not; in the end, you're alone. He seemed to have put in as many miles in his brain as he had with his feet. The thoughts kept coming and there was no way to deny them.
Stephen KingRead
Late last night and the night before, tommyknockers, tommyknockers knocking on my door. I wanna go out, don't know if I can 'cuz I'm so afraid of the tommyknocker man.
Stephen KingRead
Similar quotes
I notice that young men go to the universities in order to become doctors or philosophers or anything, so long as it is a title, and that many go in for those professions who are utterly unfit for them, while others who would be very competent are prevented by business or their daily cares, which keep them away from letters.
Galileo GalileiRead
Learning is not child's play; we cannot learn without pain.
AristotleRead
As a historically voracious reader - pre-baby, I averaged a book every week or two, and when I was a kid, I'd routinely read a book a day - I never understood how some people could not read. When I heard people say they didn't have time to read, in my head, I simultaneously pitied and ridiculed them: there was always time to read.
Celeste NgRead
We buy books because we believe we're buying the time to read them.
Warren ZevonRead
You are at some point exposed to a wonderful story, and you really want to know what happens next, so you learn to read in order to find out.
Diana GabaldonRead
I always think of books as being like people. Even the dull ones are worthy of decent respect, but you don't have to seek them out and spend time with them.
Orson Scott CardRead