Writing a book is a bit like surfing," he said. "Most of…
““Writing a book is a bit like surfing," he said. "Most of the time you're waiting. And it's quite pleasant, sitting in the water waiting. But you are expecting that the result of a storm over the horizon, in another time zone, usually, days old, will radiate out in the form of waves. And eventually, when they show up, you turn around and ride that energy to the shore. It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace. As a writer, you roll up to the desk every day, and then you sit there, waiting, in the hope that something will come over the horizon. And then you turn around and ride it, in the form of a story.””
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 likened to surfing: periods of patient waiting followed by catching a sudden surge of inspiration that propels a story forward.
In simple terms: Writing involves waiting for ideas then riding them.
Key Takeaway
Embrace patience and act when inspiration arrives.
Themes
creativity
patience
inspiration
process
craft
Mood
reflective
hopeful
inspirational
Type
advice
metaphorical
process
When to use this quote
- authoring a novel
- drafting a short story
- overcoming writer’s block
- planning a manuscript
- daily writing routine
Key Concepts
flow
momentum
grace
storm metaphor
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you recognize the moment to act on an idea?
- What practices keep you patient without losing momentum?
A Different Perspective
If the storm never arrives, the writer may remain stuck in endless waiting.