“Writing is like a ‘lust,’ or like ‘scratching when you itch.’ Writing comes as a result of a very strong impulse, and when it does come, I, for one, must get it out.”
Image credits：Aronsyne,”Lewis, age 48″,CC BY-SA 4.0,C.S.-Lewis – C. S. Lewis – Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- November 29, 1898 – November 22, 1963
- Born in Ireland
- Writer, scholar
- Had a major influence on fantasy literature and religious thought through his many works, including the Chronicles of Narnia series and The Poetics of Christianity
Quote
“Writing is like a ‘lust,’ or like ‘scratching when you itch.’ Writing comes as a result of a very strong impulse, and when it does come, I, for one, must get it out.”
Explanation
In this quote, C. S. Lewis compares writing to a powerful, uncontrollable urge—something akin to the impulse to scratch an itch or even to lust, in the sense that it demands immediate action. Lewis emphasizes that writing is not always a calculated process but can be driven by a compulsive need to express thoughts, ideas, or emotions. Just as one cannot ignore the discomfort of an itch, the writer is compelled to put their thoughts into words when the impulse strikes. For Lewis, writing is not merely a craft or skill; it is an act of emotional release or spiritual necessity that can be as urgent and uncontrollable as any physical urge.
Historically, this reflects Lewis’s own experience as a writer, where he often wrote as a way of making sense of his thoughts and beliefs, especially about faith and philosophy. He was an intellectual who also felt deeply about the truths he explored in his writing, and often the act of writing was a form of response to what he had internalized. In his works like Mere Christianity and The Chronicles of Narnia, his ideas and passions drove his writing process. This comparison to a lust or itch implies that writing, for Lewis, was not something that could be easily controlled or postponed, but something that demanded immediate attention when the inspiration arrived.
In the modern context, this quote resonates with anyone who has experienced the compulsion to create—whether in writing, art, or any other form of expression. It speaks to the creative process as something that is not always deliberate or planned, but often comes from an internal drive that must be acted upon. In a world full of distractions and expectations, this quote reminds us that true creativity is often born from a strong internal impulse that demands outlet. Whether we write for personal expression, professional work, or artistic creation, there’s an element of urgency and need in the act of creating something that reflects what we feel, understand, or experience.
