QuoteProject
The writer's job is not to write a novel, hold it up and say, “Here I am,” but to write a novel, hold it up and say, “Here YOU are.
Rita Mae Brown
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The purpose of a writer is to connect with readers rather than seeking personal recognition.

Rita Mae Brown emphasizes that a writer's role is not merely to showcase their own work for validation, but to create stories that resonate with and reflect the experiences of the audience. This focus on the reader's perspective is essential for meaningful literature, as it fosters a deeper connection between the writer and the reader, turning personal expression into a shared experience.

Themes

WritingReaderConnectionLiteratureStorytelling

In practice

Example use cases

In a writing workshop, this quote could inspire participants to focus on the audience's experience.

More from Rita Mae Brown

As for loving woman, I have never understood why some people had a fit. I still don't. It seems fine to me. If an individual is productive responsible, and energetic, why should her choice in a partner make such a fuss? The government is only too happy to take my tax money and yet they uphold legislation that keeps me a second class citizen. Surely, there should be a tax break for those of us who are robbed of full and equal participation and protection in the life of our nation.
Rita Mae BrownRead
The only queer people are those who don't love anybody.
Rita Mae BrownRead
People are like tea bags; you never know how strong they'll be until they're in hot water. In times of trouble, you not only discover what you truly believe but whether or not you can act on your beliefs.
Rita Mae BrownRead
About all you can do in life is be who you are. Some people will love you for you. Most will love you for what you can do for them, and some won't like you at all.
Rita Mae BrownRead
I still miss those I loved who are no longer with me but I find I am grateful for having loved them. The gratitude has finally conquered the loss.
Rita Mae BrownRead
If you don't like my book, write your own. If you don't think you can write a novel, that ought to tell you something. If you think you can, do. No excuses. If you still don't like my novel, find a book you do like. Life is too short to be miserable. If you do like my novels, I commend your good taste.
Rita Mae BrownRead

Similar quotes

Great music is its own movie, already. And the challenge, as a music fan, is to keep the song as powerful as it wants to be, to not tamper with it and to somehow give it a home.
Cameron CroweRead
You know, I designed the Queen crest. I simply combined all the creatures that represent our star signs-and I don't even believe in astrology.
Freddie MercuryRead
Our vanity, our passions, our spirit of imitation, our abstract intelligence, our habits have long been at work, and it is the task of art to undo this work of theirs, making us travel back in the direction from which we have come to the depths where what has really existed lies unknown within us.
Marcel ProustRead
don't stop to think of the words when you do stop, just stop to think of the picture better-and let your mind off yourself in this work.
Jack KerouacRead
I look at a nude. There are myriads of tiny tints. I must find the ones that will make the flesh on my canvas live and quiver.
Pierre-Auguste RenoirRead
I write because I like to make things and the only things I am good at making things with are words.
P. J. O'RourkeRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.

Quote by Rita Mae Brown | QuoteProject