"One writes to make a home for oneself, on paper, in time and in others' minds"

In this quote, Alfred Kazin suggests that composing is a method of creating a sense of belonging and permanence. By putting one's ideas and concepts onto paper, one is basically creating a home for oneself that can be reviewed and reflected upon with time. In addition, Kazin argues that composing can help share one's experiences and insight with others, thereby enabling it to live on in the minds of others too. In essence, composing ends up being a method of producing a tradition and leaving a lasting impression on the world, even if it is just through the memories and reflections of others.