Always Quote by Alice Dreger
“Perhaps it is because I'm a writer trained in history that I've always assumed I would make mistakes in my drafts. Historians know how faulty human memory can be.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Long History of Medical Ethics, 2020
Writers with historical training expect errors because memory is unreliable, so they anticipate mistakes in drafts.
In simple terms: History-trained writers expect draft errors due to faulty memory.
Key Takeaway
Plan for revisions early.
Themes
writing
history
memory
drafting
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic writing
- creative writing
- editing
- research papers
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
historical perspective
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance confidence and caution in drafting?
- What strategies help you verify memory accuracy?
A Different Perspective
Assuming errors may lead to over‑editing and stifle creativity.
