"My idea is always to reach my generation. The wise writer writes for the youth of his own generation, the critics of the next, and the schoolmasters of ever afterward"

F. Scott Fitzgerald's quote suggests that writers should strive to reach their own generation firstly. He believes that the wise author should compose for the youth of their own generation, as they are the ones who will be most impacted by the work. He also suggests that the author ought to consider the critics of the next generation, as they will be the ones to judge the work and its impact. Lastly, he recommends that the writer needs to also consider the schoolmasters of future generations, as they will be the ones to teach the work and its value to future generations. In this way, Fitzgerald recommends that authors need to think about the effect of their deal with all generations, not simply their own.