Meaning: The quote by Richard Price, a renowned writer, provides insight into the challenge of being too close to one's own work to accurately judge it. Price expresses his difficulty in reading his own book or watching a movie for which he wrote the screenplay, noting that he is unable to accurately assess the quality of his own work due to his proximity to it. He acknowledges that each time he revisits his work, his reactions vary, highlighting the subjective and evolving nature of one's perception of their own creations.

This quote offers a glimpse into the complex relationship between creators and their work, shedding light on the emotional and psychological dynamics at play when individuals are deeply involved in the creative process. Price's words resonate with many writers, artists, and creators who often struggle with self-criticism, self-doubt, and the challenge of maintaining objectivity when evaluating their own work.

One of the key themes in Price's quote is the concept of proximity and its impact on the ability to assess one's own work. Being intimately involved in the creation of a piece of art, whether it's a book, a screenplay, a painting, or any other form of creative expression, can make it difficult to maintain a sense of detachment necessary for objective evaluation. The emotional investment, personal attachment, and the extensive knowledge of the background story and intentions behind the work can all contribute to a biased perspective.

Price's mention of having "ten different reactions" upon reading his own work multiple times underscores the fluid and multi-faceted nature of creative perception. This phenomenon is not unique to Price but is a common experience shared by many creators who often find themselves oscillating between moments of pride, self-criticism, doubt, and re-evaluation as they engage with their own work over time.

The quote also touches upon the inherent subjectivity of the creative process and the resulting artistic output. Price's acknowledgment of his inability to accurately judge his own work underscores the elusive nature of artistic evaluation. It highlights the fact that the assessment of creative endeavors is not solely based on objective criteria but is deeply intertwined with individual perspectives, emotions, and experiences.

In the context of the quote, the act of creating a piece of art becomes a deeply personal and introspective journey, wherein the creator's own vantage point continually evolves, impacting their interpretation and evaluation of their work. This ongoing evolution of perception adds layers to the complexity of the creative process and the relationship between the artist and their creations.

Price's quote serves as a reminder of the intricate dynamics that underpin the act of creation. It offers valuable insights into the challenges faced by artists in navigating their own creative work and the perpetual struggle to strike a balance between subjectivity and objectivity. It also invites contemplation on the nature of artistic interpretation and the ever-changing relationship between creators and their creations.