Being judged Quote by Angela Alioto
![“My original book [Straight to the Heart: Political Cantos] was 1,700 pages. The first editor brought it down to 700; there was a lot that didn't make it in. But at last it's finished. I had a hard time signing off on it. And I was worried about it hurting anyone I loved even indirectly. I sat in…” quote by Angela Alioto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1f2/angela-alioto-29373_being-judged_my-original-book-straight-to-the-heart-p_929484.jpg)
“My original book [Straight to the Heart: Political Cantos] was 1,700 pages. The first editor brought it down to 700; there was a lot that didn't make it in. But at last it's finished. I had a hard time signing off on it. And I was worried about it hurting anyone I loved even indirectly. I sat in my room afterwards for two hours wondering what I had done. I wondered about it being judged and if people would understand.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Straight to the Heart: Political Cantos, 2000
The author struggled with editing a massive manuscript, fearing personal impact and judgment after completion.
In simple terms: Finishing a huge work brings relief and anxiety about how others will receive it.
Key Takeaway
Balance creative honesty with concern for loved ones.
Themes
writing
editing
fear
relief
responsibility
Mood
reflective
anxious
hopeful
Type
personal
creative
cautionary
When to use this quote
- publishing a novel
- sharing a memoir
- family discussions
- creative closure
Key Concepts
self‑censorship
public reception
authorial anxiety
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile artistic truth with potential hurt to others?
- What steps can you take to ease post‑completion anxiety?
A Different Perspective
Even after completion, lingering doubts can affect confidence and relationships.
![“I think the book [Straight to the Heart: Political Cantos] has meaning for any large city with urban problems. There are political machines in a lot of large cities, and everywhere the goals of society get lost.” quote by Angela Alioto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/030/angela-alioto-29373_book_i-think-the-book-straight-to-the-heart-p_71822.jpg)
![“[After her 18-day disappearance in 1974:] I love my husband very, very much, but he didn't ask me when he ran for mayor and he didn't consult me about running for governor. It would be nice to be asked. ... You know, I've been my mother's daughter, my father's daughter, the wife of my husband, the…” quote by Angela Alioto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a5a/angela-alioto-29373_ask-me_after-her-18-day-disappearance-in-1974-i_125354.jpg)
![“I never worked on anything so hard in my life [like my book 'Straight to the Heart: Political Cantos'], including the Bar exam. The only other thing I could compare it to is having four babies by age 24. That was hard.” quote by Angela Alioto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9a9/angela-alioto-29373_age_i-never-worked-on-anything-so-hard-in-my_2380202.jpg)
![“My progressive ideals are screaming in [Straight to the Heart: Political Cantos] book; what I believe. There is no muddying-up because of debate. You know exactly where I stand, because I put it down in the written word.” quote by Angela Alioto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/645/angela-alioto-29373_believe_my-progressive-ideals-are-screaming-in-s_2645318.jpg)
