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I write very quickly; I rewrite very slowly. It takes me…

“I write very quickly; I rewrite very slowly. It takes me nearly as long to rewrite a book as it does to get the first draft.” quote by John Irving
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“I write very quickly; I rewrite very slowly. It takes me nearly as long to rewrite a book as it does to get the first draft.”

John Irving

About This Quote

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

Writing is fast, but revising is slow; rewriting a book takes as much time as drafting the first version.

In simple terms: Writing is quick, rewriting is slow.

Key Takeaway

Allocate ample time for revision.

Themes

writing revision creativity

Mood

determined reflective

Type

advice process

When to use this quote

  • novel writing
  • academic papers
  • blog posts
  • screenplays

Key Concepts

literature process management

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance drafting and revising?
  • What strategies improve your editing efficiency?
A Different Perspective

Revision can be endless without clear goals.

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