As much as one may imagine writing, one always writes for others or for certain processes and matters, so much one errs in this thought. For the motivation to write always corresponds first of all to an occasion that can almost be described as private: the desire to communicate, to stand out through what is written, even to become famous or to get the wealth of thoughts out of one’s head in order to be able to think freely again, and many other reasons. And when you have written, you long for others to read this. After all, unpublished diaries are not good for your self-confidence for long – unless there is a chance (or at least hope) for a later publication in the estate.

Gertrude Stein, on the other hand, is not only a brilliant writer, but also honest enough to admit to writing for herself without worrying about it, and wise enough to give “strangers” as a second reason instead of vainly mentioning the audience or readers. Writing for strangers is anonymous, formulates casual disinterest – and is simply honest.