Meaning: This quote by Jim Bishop, a renowned journalist and author, encapsulates the inner conflict and struggle that writers often face when creating their work. The quote suggests that it is challenging to derive pleasure from reading something that the writer themselves has authored, especially if the process of creation was arduous and filled with disdain for the very thing that held them captive during its development.

When a writer invests their time, effort, and creativity into a piece of work, they become intimately connected to it, almost like a parent to a child. This deep personal investment can make it difficult for the writer to distance themselves from their creation and experience it as a reader might. The act of writing can be a laborious and emotionally taxing process, often involving periods of self-doubt, frustration, and the feeling of being enslaved by the very work that they are bringing to life. This intense emotional journey can lead to a complex relationship with the finished product, as it becomes intertwined with the writer's own internal struggles and conflicts.

The phrase "born in such travail" highlights the idea that the creation of a piece of writing can be a deeply painful and exhausting experience for the writer. The word "travail" evokes a sense of struggle, hardship, and suffering, emphasizing the emotional and psychological toll that the act of writing can exact on the writer. This intense labor of creation can lead to a sense of contempt or disdain for the very thing that caused the writer so much anguish, as they grapple with the conflicting emotions that arise from their creative process.

The quote also touches upon the notion that the writer may despise the work that once enslaved them. This suggests that the writer's relationship with their creation is complex and multifaceted, encompassing feelings of both love and resentment. The work becomes a source of both pride and pain, as the writer navigates the tumultuous terrain of their own emotions and experiences in bringing it to fruition.

Jim Bishop's quote offers a poignant reflection on the inner turmoil of writers, shedding light on the emotional dynamics that underpin the act of creation. It speaks to the profound personal investment that writers have in their work, as well as the internal conflicts and struggles that can arise from the creative process. By delving into the complexities of the writer's relationship with their own creations, the quote provides valuable insight into the intricate and often tumultuous nature of the creative journey.

In conclusion, Jim Bishop's quote captures the profound emotional and psychological journey that writers undergo in the process of creating their work. It illuminates the intricate dynamics of the writer's relationship with their own creations, highlighting the complex interplay of love, disdain, and inner conflict that can arise from the act of writing. This quote serves as a powerful reminder of the depth of emotion and personal investment that writers bring to their work, offering a compelling exploration of the multifaceted nature of the creative process.