End Quote by Alice Munro
“I've often made revisions at that stage that turned out to be mistakes because I wasn't really in the rhythm of the story anymore. I see a little bit of writing that doesn't seem to be doing as much work as it should be doing, and right at the end, I will sort of rev it up. But when I finally read the story again, it seems a bit obtrusive.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 2015
Revising late in a story can feel forced because the writer loses the narrative flow, leading to clunky, obvious changes.
In simple terms: Late revisions can feel forced and out of sync.
Key Takeaway
Maintain rhythm; edit earlier.
Themes
writing
editing
rhythm
storytelling
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
advice
process
When to use this quote
- Drafting
- first read-through
- final polish
- peer feedback
Key Concepts
Narrative flow
authorial voice
revision timing
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you tell when a story is still in rhythm?
- What strategies keep revisions seamless?
A Different Perspective
Early edits preserve natural voice; later changes may feel intrusive.
