When everything works best, it's not because you chose writing but because writing chose you. It's when you're mad with it, it's when it's stuffed in your ears, your nostrils, under your fingernails. It's when there's no hope but that.

The quote "When everything works best, it's not because you chose writing but because writing chose you. It's when you're mad with it, it's when it's stuffed in your ears, your nostrils, under your fingernails. It's when there's no hope but that." by Charles Bukowski conveys his belief in the intense, consuming nature of the writing process. Bukowski, known for his raw, unflinching portrayal of life's struggles, suggests that true creativity and art are not driven by a conscious decision to write but by a deeper, uncontrollable compulsion. For Bukowski, writing is a force that takes over, dictating one's life rather than being a mere choice or hobby.

The image of writing being "stuffed in your ears, your nostrils, under your **fingernails" emphasizes the all-encompassing nature of his relationship with his craft. It’s as if writing becomes an inseparable part of him, invading every sense and every moment of his existence. This intense experience contrasts with the romanticized notion of writing as a peaceful, deliberate process. Instead, Bukowski frames it as a chaotic, maddening obsession that consumes the writer entirely.

Bukowski also touches on the idea of hope in this quote. He suggests that, at its most intense, writing leaves no room for anything else—there is only the act of creation. The writer, in this state, is driven solely by the need to write, with no hope or escape from the process. This reflects his view of writing not as a choice but as a calling, one that leaves the writer at the mercy of the work, without respite.

Ultimately, Bukowski’s quote reflects the brutal, all-consuming nature of creativity for many artists. His portrayal of writing as something that "chooses" the writer emphasizes the almost uncontrollable need to express oneself, where the act of creation becomes a compulsion rather than a choice. This view challenges conventional ideas of writing as a calm, thoughtful pursuit and highlights the intense passion and obsession that can define the artistic process.