Was it always my nature to take a bad time and block out the good times, until any success became an accident and failure seemed the only truth?
Lillian HellmanRead
If I had to give young writers advice, I would say don't listen to writers talking about writing or themselves.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Young writers should focus on their own voice rather than be influenced by others' opinions on writing.
Lillian Hellman's quote emphasizes the importance of individuality in the writing process. She suggests that young writers should cultivate their unique perspectives and styles by not overly heeding the advice and discussions of established writers, as it may hinder their authentic expression and development as writers.
Themes
WritingYoung WritersAdviceIndividualityCreativity
In practice
Example use cases
A writing workshop at a school might use this quote to encourage students to trust their own voices.
More from Lillian Hellman
All quotes βIt is best to act with confidence, no matter how little right you have to it.
Lillian HellmanRead
If you believe, as the Greeks did, that man is at the mercy of the gods, then you write tragedy. The end is inevitable from the beginning. But if you believe that man can solve his own problems and is at nobody's mercy, then you will probably write melodrama.
Lillian HellmanRead
Nobody knows what you want except you. And nobody will be as sorry as you if you don't get it. Wanting some other way to live is proof enough of deserving it. Having it is hard work, but not having it is sheer hell.
Lillian HellmanRead
Failure in the theater is more dramatic and uglier than any other form of writing. It costs so much, you feel so guilty.
Lillian HellmanRead
It is not good to see people who have been pretending strength all their lives lose it even for a minute.
Lillian HellmanRead
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To aid life, leaving it free, however, that is the basic task of the educator.
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