"It helps to be able to be alone. 'Cuz writing is done alone, unless you collaborate, but I don't do that. Ask my ex-wife"
About this Quote
The intent is twofold. On the surface, it’s practical advice from an actor who’s also writing: the work happens in a room with the door shut, and that’s non-negotiable. Underneath, he’s smuggling in a harsher truth about control. “I don’t do that” isn’t only about co-authoring; it reads like a broader incapacity or unwillingness to share space, authorship, or compromise. The ex-wife line is a preemptive strike against criticism: he indicts himself before anyone else can, converting potential judgment into a laugh.
Context matters because it’s coming from a pop-culture figure, not a literary sage. Benedict’s persona (wry, self-protective, a little cocky) fits the cadence: casual slang (“’Cuz”), quick setup, barbed payoff. The humor isn’t just decoration; it’s reputation management. He keeps the tone light while admitting the cost of his preferred isolation, hinting that the same traits that make a solitary writer productive can make a partner feel shut out.
Quote Details
| Topic | Writing |
|---|---|
| Source | Help us find the source |
| Cite |
Citation Formats
APA Style (7th ed.)
Benedict, Dirk. (2026, January 17). It helps to be able to be alone. 'Cuz writing is done alone, unless you collaborate, but I don't do that. Ask my ex-wife. FixQuotes. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/it-helps-to-be-able-to-be-alone-cuz-writing-is-44247/
Chicago Style
Benedict, Dirk. "It helps to be able to be alone. 'Cuz writing is done alone, unless you collaborate, but I don't do that. Ask my ex-wife." FixQuotes. January 17, 2026. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/it-helps-to-be-able-to-be-alone-cuz-writing-is-44247/.
MLA Style (9th ed.)
"It helps to be able to be alone. 'Cuz writing is done alone, unless you collaborate, but I don't do that. Ask my ex-wife." FixQuotes, 17 Jan. 2026, https://fixquotes.com/quotes/it-helps-to-be-able-to-be-alone-cuz-writing-is-44247/. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.



