Books Quote by Anthony Doerr
“I think some people think that writers read and read and read, get the information, and then write. That's not how it works. Often, you write yourself into a dark place where you don't know what you need to know, so you go get the information.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: NPR Fresh Air, 2015
Writers often discover gaps in their knowledge while drafting, prompting research after the fact rather than before.
In simple terms: Writing reveals what you don’t know, driving later research.
Key Takeaway
Embrace uncertainty and research as you write.
Themes
writing
research
creativity
Mood
curious
reflective
Type
advice
process
When to use this quote
- novel drafting
- academic writing
- screenwriting
- journalism
Key Concepts
self‑discovery
knowledge gaps
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance planning and discovery?
- When is it okay to write without full knowledge?
A Different Perspective
Research after writing can delay progress and increase revisions.
![“I don't think they [contemporary writers] read me either. I mean, if we're concerned genuinely with writing, I think we probably get on with our work.” quote by William Golding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c30/william-golding-1233_concerned_i-don-t-think-they-contemporary-writers_991931.jpg)
