Inspiration usually comes during work, rather than before it. 

– Madeleine L’Engle, writer

A book, too, can be a star, “explosive material, capable of stirring up fresh life endlessly,” a living fire to lighten the darkness, leading out into the expanding universe.

- A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

Maybe you have to know the darkness before you can appreciate the light. 

-Madeline L'Engle