Writing is a solitary occupation. Family, friends, and society are the natural enemies of the writer. He must be alone, uninterrupted, and slightly savage if he is to sustain and complete an undertaking.

Jessamyn West

 

The Quote in Other Words

The act of writing requires solitude, as family, friends, and society can hinder the writer’s progress. To successfully complete a writing project, the writer must be alone, undisturbed, and possess a certain level of ferocity.

 

Explanation of the Quote

This quote highlights the solitary nature of writing and the challenges that writers face in maintaining focus and productivity. The writer must be alone and uninterrupted to fully immerse themselves in their work and bring their ideas to fruition. Family, friends, and society can be distractions that pull the writer away from their creative process and hinder their progress.

Furthermore, the quote suggests that writers must be slightly savage in their approach to their work. This could mean being fiercely protective of their time and space, or being willing to take risks and push boundaries in their writing. It takes a certain level of determination and grit to sustain and complete a writing project, and the writer must be willing to embrace this mindset in order to succeed.

Overall, this quote speaks to the unique challenges and rewards of the writing process, and the importance of finding a balance between solitude and connection in the pursuit of creative expression.