I taught everyone a very bad lesson at my publisher…
“I taught everyone a very bad lesson at my publisher because they actually gave me deadlines this time and I'm now meeting them. I used to say, "Here's my book; it's six years late." I'm so much faster now, and work differently. With all the years of writing, I think I still draft as obsessively, but I think back to writing. On your first story, you start at draft one. On your second story, you start at draft ten. On your third story, you start at draft one hundred. If you need a hundred and eight drafts, you may write eight instead of a hundred and eight.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Repeated deadlines force faster work, showing that pressure can improve efficiency, but excessive drafts may be unnecessary; focus on essential revisions.
In simple terms: Deadlines boost speed; limit drafts.
Key Takeaway
Use deadlines to work efficiently.
Themes
productivity
writing
efficiency
drafting
Mood
pragmatic
reflective
Type
advice
motivational
When to use this quote
- publishing
- academic writing
- novel drafting
- content creation
Key Concepts
time management
creative process
iteration
Questions to Reflect On
- How many drafts are enough?
- What strategies keep revisions focused?
A Different Perspective
Too many drafts can cause burnout.