Quote by Harlan Ellison

It is not merely enough to love literature if one wishes to spend one's life as a writer. It is a dangerous undertaking on the most primitive level. For, it seems to me, the act of writing with serious intent involves enormous personal risk. It entails the ongoing courage for self-discovery. It means one will walk forever on the tightrope, with each new step presenting the possiblity of learning a truth about oneself that is too terrible to bear.

It is not merely enough to love literature if one wishes to

Summary

This quote highlights the intense and perilous nature of the writing process for aspiring writers. Simply having a love for literature is not sufficient to embark on this path, as the act of writing with sincerity requires immense personal vulnerability. It demands the continuous courage to explore and uncover oneself. Each step taken in this creative journey poses the risk of unearthing profound and unsettling truths about one's own identity, which can be overwhelming to confront. Writing is therefore portrayed as a dangerous and precarious undertaking, demanding unwavering bravery.

Topics

Truth Inspiration Dangerous Primitive

By Harlan Ellison

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