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Caution Quote by Adam Ross

“Once when I went over my work with my Washington University professor, the late great Stanley Elkin, he pointed to a passage of mine and said: 'Stop vamping.' It has remained a caution.” quote by Adam Ross
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“Once when I went over my work with my Washington University professor, the late great Stanley Elkin, he pointed to a passage of mine and said: 'Stop vamping.' It has remained a caution.”

Adam Ross

About This Quote

Source Interview: The New Yorker, 2014

A writer’s mentor warned against excessive self‑indulgence, urging concise, purposeful prose.

In simple terms: Avoid over‑indulgent writing; be concise.

Key Takeaway

Heed mentor’s advice to stay focused.

Themes

writing mentorship discipline

Mood

thoughtful serious

Type

literary inspirational

When to use this quote

  • novel drafting
  • academic papers
  • blog posts
  • screenplays

Key Concepts

editing voice literary craft

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance editing with creativity?
  • When is self‑indulgence beneficial?
A Different Perspective

Strict editing can stifle creative flow.

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