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I wrote 'Mr. In-Between' very quickly when I was about 23…

“I wrote 'Mr. In-Between' very quickly when I was about 23. I wrote the penultimate chapter, then realised I'd done something which was written to the best of my abilities. I panicked. I hesitated to finish the final chapter and went into withdrawal for three years. I decided to pick it up again…” quote by Neil Cross
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“I wrote 'Mr. In-Between' very quickly when I was about 23. I wrote the penultimate chapter, then realised I'd done something which was written to the best of my abilities. I panicked. I hesitated to finish the final chapter and went into withdrawal for three years. I decided to pick it up again after I went drinking with author Tim Binding.”

Neil Cross

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 struggled with perfectionism, causing a long pause before completing a novel

In simple terms: Perfectionism halted progress, leading to a three‑year break

Key Takeaway

Accept imperfect drafts and keep moving forward

Themes

creativity self‑doubt productivity

Mood

reflective inspirational

Type

creative motivational

When to use this quote

  • author workshops
  • self‑editing
  • creative retreats

Key Concepts

writing process mental health

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance quality and momentum?
  • What habits help overcome writer’s block?
A Different Perspective

Perfectionism can paralyze creative work

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