Able Quote by Augusten Burroughs
“The most important thing for a writer to do is to write. It really doesn't matter what you write as long as you are able to write fluidly, very quickly, very effortlessly. It needs to become not second nature but really first nature to you. And read; you need to read and you need to read excellent books and then some bad books. Not as many bad books, but some bad books, so that you can see what both look like and why both are what they are.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Art of Writing, Augusten Burroughs, 2015
Writing must become instinctual; constant practice and diverse reading shape skill and intuition.
In simple terms: Write often, read widely, make writing second nature.
Practice writing daily.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- authoring a novel
- blogging
- academic writing
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What habits make writing effortless?
- How does reading bad books help?
Over‑emphasis on speed can reduce depth.