Book Quote by Alan Lightman
“"The Diagnosis" had ten drafts of very significant changing, where I went through the whole book, wholesale and changed everything. Then the last year or so it was making small changes. I would do something and let it sit for three months... just brood about and decide I needed to slightly change something here or there. Or one character wasn't quite right. But I think everybody goes through this.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Diagnosis, Alan Lightman, 2008
Revising a work involves large overhauls early, then fine‑tuning later, with periods of reflection before minor edits.
In simple terms: Big changes first, then small tweaks after reflection.
Key Takeaway
Allow time for ideas to settle before polishing.
Themes
writing
revision
creativity
Mood
thoughtful
determined
Type
process
advice
When to use this quote
- drafting a novel
- editing a manuscript
- polishing a screenplay
- refining a research paper
- polishing a design prototype
Key Concepts
iteration
self‑assessment
patience
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you know when a change is necessary?
- What balance of big vs. small edits works for you?
A Different Perspective
Too much time away can cause loss of momentum or over‑analysis.
