I know some very great writers, writers you love who write…
“I know some very great writers, writers you love who write beautifully and have made a great deal of money, and not one of them sits down routinely feeling wildly enthusiastic and confident. Not one of them writes elegant first drafts. All right, one of them does, but we do not like her very much. We do not think that she has a rich inner life or that God likes her or can even stand her. (Although when I mentioned this to my priest friend Tom, he said that you can safely assume you’ve created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.)”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Great writers often lack confidence, produce imperfect drafts, and are judged harshly, reflecting the struggle between creative passion and self‑doubt.
In simple terms: Writers doubt themselves despite talent.
Key Takeaway
Accept imperfection and keep writing.
Themes
creativity
self‑doubt
perfectionism
Mood
honest
encouraging
Type
motivational
reflective
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- mental health
- publishing
- teaching
Key Concepts
drafting
confidence
critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you embrace imperfect drafts?
- What practices build creative confidence?
A Different Perspective
Perfectionism can stall progress.