Stevie Smith explains why she didn’t write when she was happy – Quotes for Writers (and people who like quotes)
Why does my Muse only speak when she is unhappy?
She does not, I only listen when I am unhappy
When I am happy I live and despise writing
For my Muse this cannot but be dispiriting.
Stevie Smith ‘My Muse’ (1964)
photo credit: The Three Muses via photopin (license)
10 comments on “Stevie Smith explains why she didn’t write when she was happy – Quotes for Writers (and people who like quotes)”
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A Good Confession
"Unputdownable" Miriam Stoppard
BRIDGET WHELAN writer 
Reblogged this on Barrow Blogs: and commented:
Drowning not waving!
Thanks Judith
Yes rings truex
I wonder if most poets feel the same – happiness drives the muse away. (So writers’ block = happy times)
My Muse only speaks when I’m fairly content, otherwise she sulks!
So, it’s a good sign when you’re lyrical…
Certainly is! I have a black book for ranting in, but the writing isn’t fit to be read by anyone else!
I think that when we are feeling blue, we need a friend to talk to and for writers, that means picking up the pen to sort out the emotions. The good thing is that our readers have moments of melancholy too and many can appreciate our musings. Lynn M.
I’m guilty of writing a lot of bad poetry full of teenage agnst (many, many years ago) and I think it can be a way of dealing with our darkest moments. Good therapy too because, as you say Lynn, to write you have to sort out what you feel, maybe get a better understanding of why this bad time has happened…And if you can do that and write GOOD poetry written with emotional maturity – whatever your age – then the result is very powerful.
So true, Bridget