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I used to think that: whenever I heard that someone had…

“I used to think that: whenever I heard that someone had taken 10 years to write a novel, I'd think it must be a big, serious book. Now I think, 'No - it took you one year to write, and nine years to sit around eating Kit Kats.” quote by Ian Rankin
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“I used to think that: whenever I heard that someone had taken 10 years to write a novel, I'd think it must be a big, serious book. Now I think, 'No - it took you one year to write, and nine years to sit around eating Kit Kats.”

Ian Rankin

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Writing a novel often involves long periods of thinking and planning, not just drafting.

In simple terms: Great books need time to develop ideas.

Key Takeaway

Allow ideas to mature before writing.

Themes

creativity process patience

Mood

reflective inspirational

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

  • novel writing
  • research
  • creative blocks

Key Concepts

ideation drafting revision

Questions to Reflect On

  • What ideas need incubation before execution?
  • How do you manage waiting periods?
A Different Perspective

May cause frustration for impatient writers.

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