When Plato wrote The Republic in
514a–520a, it was to illustrate the affect of education on human beings. Plato thought that without the light education brings, people are ignorant and will only see the world as shadows on a cave wall.
Being inspired to write a story is a lot like being in a cave. At first there is absolute darkness. But if I look hard enough, there’s little points of light which will slowly light my way to a satisfying ending. I think Plato would approve of my allegory.