I'm astonished by my success. I wrote because I needed to and wanted to. It never occurred to me that I'd become famous.

Certainly! Here’s an explanation with the keywords bolded:

The quote by Danielle Steel expresses her astonishment at the level of success she has achieved as a writer. She explains that her initial motivation for writing was purely personal—because she needed to and genuinely wanted to, rather than aiming for fame or widespread recognition. This highlights the idea that passion and necessity can drive creativity more than the pursuit of celebrity.

Steel’s words suggest that fame was an unexpected by-product of her dedication and talent. She never imagined that her work would lead to such a high profile, which adds a sense of humility and surprise to her accomplishments. This perspective resonates with many artists and creators who focus on their craft first, with fame coming second.

The origin of this quote comes from Steel’s long and prolific career as a best-selling author, known for her numerous romance novels. Her reflection provides insight into the mindset of a successful artist who values the intrinsic rewards of creativity over external validation. It reminds us that fame often follows genuine passion and hard work, rather than being the initial goal.