I revise constantly, as I go along and then again after…
“I revise constantly, as I go along and then again after I've finished a first draft. Few of my novels contain a single sentence that closely resembles the sentence I first set down. I just find that I have to keep zapping and zapping the English language until it starts to behave in some way that vaguely matches my intentions.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The author emphasizes relentless editing, reshaping sentences repeatedly until they align with the intended meaning.
In simple terms: Constantly rewrite until the words match your intent.
Key Takeaway
Embrace endless revision.
Themes
writing
editing
perseverance
Mood
determined
reflective
Type
process
inspirational
When to use this quote
- novel drafting
- self‑editing
- workshop feedback
- personal writing routine
Key Concepts
craftsmanship
iterative process
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you know when a draft is finished?
- When does revision become over‑editing?
A Different Perspective
Too much polishing can stall completion.