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. I can write more quickly than I can read.”
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 at first but polishing takes as much time as the initial creation, highlighting the labor of revision.
In simple terms: First drafts are quick; revisions are slow.
Allocate ample time for editing.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- novel drafting
- academic papers
- blog posts
- screenplays
- self‑help books
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance speed and depth in your work?
- What strategies improve the revision process?
Even with fast drafting, quality depends on careful revision.