"Some writers confuse authenticity, which they ought always to aim at, with originality, which they should never bother about"

This quote by W. H. Auden talks to the significance of authenticity in composing. He is recommending that authors ought to focus on being authentic in their writing, instead of trying to be initial. Authenticity is about being true to oneself and one's own experiences, while creativity has to do with producing something that has actually never been seen before. Authenticity is necessary because it enables the author to reveal their true sensations and concepts, while creativity can be hard to accomplish and can lead to an absence of genuineness. Auden is recommending that writers need to pursue authenticity, as it is more important than creativity. Authenticity enables the writer to produce something that is meaningful and true to themselves, while originality can be a distraction from the real function of writing.