Quotable Tuesday is place for writers and artists to share the quote that sustains them though the times when writing is tough, when we aren’t sure, when we wonder if the world needs our story. Sometimes, though, a writer comes across a quote that crystallizes everything a writer is and he realizes it isn’t his lot in life.

“If you do not breathe through writing, if you do not cry out in writing, or sing in writing, then don’t write, because our culture has no use for it.” – Anais Nin

This quote comes to me from a dear friend who prefers to remain anonymous. Of the quote, he says, “You may recall that for a number of years I struggled with a manuscript, convinced that I had a book in me. When I came across Nin’s quote it became evident to me that though I did enjoy writing I was a lightweight and did not “breathe”, “cry out”, or “sing” in it. This contributed to my decision to focus my energies in other areas (raising a kid for one) and retire from my non-writing, writing career.”

This decision is a powerful one. I admire your bravery, my friend. That you love writers and books is as important as your choice not to write.