For 'The Big Wander,' I probably had ten different…
“For 'The Big Wander,' I probably had ten different outlines before I made myself start writing. I would sleep on each one, thinking it was wonderful, but I would always awake perceiving some flaw.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The writer drafts many outlines, discarding each after sleep, because perfectionism hinders progress.
In simple terms: Too many drafts stop you from writing.
Key Takeaway
Accept imperfect drafts and write.
Themes
creativity
perfectionism
process
Mood
frustrated
determined
Type
advice
motivational
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- screenwriting
- blog posts
- academic papers
Key Concepts
drafting
self‑critique
iteration
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you set a deadline for a draft?
- What minimal version would satisfy you?
A Different Perspective
Perfectionism can cause endless delay, never finishing a piece.