"When I start to write, words have become physical presence. It was to see if I could bring that private world to life that found its first expression through reading. I really dislike the romantic notion of the artist"

John McGahern's quote speaks to the power of composing and how it can bring a personal world to life. He is revealing his appreciation for the act of composing and how it can be utilized to reveal one's innermost ideas and sensations. He likewise reveals his disdain for the romantic concept of the artist, which implies that art is something that is just accessible to a select couple of. He believes that writing is a powerful tool that can be used by anybody to express themselves and bring their private world to life. He is highlighting the significance of composing and how it can be used to produce something beautiful and significant. He is also stressing the importance of not counting on the romantic idea of the artist, but rather to focus on the power of writing and how it can be utilized to produce something significant.