Skip to content

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.” quote by John Irving
Download Open image
“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.”

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 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.

Key Takeaway

Allocate ample time for editing.

Themes

writing revision creativity

Mood

reflective determined

Type

advice inspirational

When to use this quote

  • novel drafting
  • academic papers
  • blog posts
  • screenplays
  • self‑help books

Key Concepts

process craft perseverance

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance speed and depth in your work?
  • What strategies improve the revision process?
A Different Perspective

Even with fast drafting, quality depends on careful revision.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by John Irving

Explore all 641 John Irving quotes

More Book quotes

Browse all 29,378 Book quotes