--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think of rounds of editing as hammer…" description: "\"“I think of rounds of editing as hammer time. Then, when they interrupt my writing, I can say... *shakes head* Nah, I just can't do it. Although when I..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe6/brent-weeks-1256_editing_i-think-of-rounds-of-editing-as-hammer-t_567063.png" --- # I think of rounds of editing as hammer time. Then, when… ![“I think of rounds of editing as hammer time. Then, when they interrupt my writing, I can say... *shakes head* Nah, I just can't do it. Although when I come across a brilliant line, I do think, Can't touch this. And when I'm worried I'm overwriting a scene, I think, Hammer, don't hurt 'em.” quote by Brent Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe6/brent-weeks-1256_editing_i-think-of-rounds-of-editing-as-hammer-t_567063.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe6/brent-weeks-1256_editing_i-think-of-rounds-of-editing-as-hammer-t_567063.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe6/brent-weeks-1256_editing_i-think-of-rounds-of-editing-as-hammer-t_567063.png) > ““I think of rounds of editing as hammer time. Then, when they interrupt my writing, I can say... \*shakes head\* Nah, I just can't do it. Although when I come across a brilliant line, I do think, Can't touch this. And when I'm worried I'm overwriting a scene, I think, Hammer, don't hurt 'em.”” [Brent Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-weeks/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Editing is likened to a rhythmic, forceful act; the writer resists interruptions but embraces brilliant moments with confidence **In simple terms:** Editing is a powerful, rhythmic process; the writer balances resistance and appreciation of great lines Key Takeaway Treat editing like a powerful rhythm, resisting interruptions while savoring brilliance Themes creativity discipline self‑critique Mood focused inspired Type practical motivational When to use this quote - novel drafting - scene polishing - writer’s block - creative workflow Key Concepts flow state creative confidence Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance confidence with critical self‑editing? - When should you let a line stay as is? A Different Perspective Too much self‑confidence may overlook necessary revisions ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“... The Book is more important than your plans for it. You have to go with what works for The Book ~ if your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-book-is-more-important-than-your-plans-for-it-you-have-to-go-with/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you interrupt the writing of fast narrative with too much introspection and self-criticism, you will be lucky if you write 500 words a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-fleming/if-you-interrupt-the-writing-of-fast-narrative-with-too-much/) [Ian Fleming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-fleming/) > [Make sure your family and loved ones don’t interrupt you during your writing time. If you’re a lawyer or doctor, friends don’t just stop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-preston/make-sure-your-family-and-loved-ones-don-t-interrupt-you-during-your/) [Douglas Preston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-preston/) > [I think Hammer's very cool: he has a great voice and great presence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-may/i-think-hammer-s-very-cool-he-has-a-great-voice-and-great-presence/) [Brian May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-may/) > [“Retiring young isn't for everybody, even if you think it is. When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-cadigan/retiring-young-isn-t-for-everybody-even-if-you-think-it-is-when-all/) [Pat Cadigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-cadigan/) > [I think the Hammer films really made death quite sexy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emil-ferris/i-think-the-hammer-films-really-made-death-quite-sexy/) [Emil Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emil-ferris/) > [While writing is like a joyful release, editing is a prison where the bars are my former intentions and the abusive warden my own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiffany-madison/while-writing-is-like-a-joyful-release-editing-is-a-prison-where-the/) [Tiffany Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiffany-madison/) > [“A good editor is like a pair of Spanx: firming up the body, making the subject look good, and absolutely invisible.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandi-layne/a-good-editor-is-like-a-pair-of-spanx-firming-up-the-body-making-the/) [Sandi Layne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandi-layne/) > [Editors can be stupid at times. They just ignore that author's intention. I always try to read unabridged editions, so much is lost with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/editors-can-be-stupid-at-times-they-just-ignore-that-author-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“What is it about us lady authors and our fascination for the exclamation mark?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-a-bucchianeri/what-is-it-about-us-lady-authors-and-our-fascination-for-the/) [E.A. Bucchianeri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-a-bucchianeri/) > [“Writing is a bitch. It's an itch that I love to scratch.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-claudia-antunes/writing-is-a-bitch-it-s-an-itch-that-i-love-to-scratch/) [Ana Claudia Antunes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-claudia-antunes/) > [“A curse of being a writer is the compulsion to edit. Take the sign on my walking trail, for example. It reads, 'Watered by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-brackin/a-curse-of-being-a-writer-is-the-compulsion-to-edit-take-the-sign-on/) [Ron Brackin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-brackin/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [Forcing modern speakers of English to not - whoops, not to split an infinitive because it isn't done in Latin makes about as much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pinker/forcing-modern-speakers-of-english-to-not-whoops-not-to-split-an/) [Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pinker/) ## More by Brent Weeks > [“Highest marks of the day. And don’t ever do it again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-weeks/highest-marks-of-the-day-and-don-t-ever-do-it-again/) [Brent Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-weeks/) > [“life is our battlefield. We must do what we know to do, not what we want to do.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-weeks/life-is-our-battlefield-we-must-do-what-we-know-to-do-not-what-we/) [Brent Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-weeks/) > [Why is it, my shadow-striding friend, that we don't fear dreams? We lose consciousness, lose control, things happen with no apparent logic and abiding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-weeks/why-is-it-my-shadow-striding-friend-that-we-don-t-fear-dreams-we-lose/) [Brent Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-weeks/) > [Sometimes after a compliment about my characterization skills, I'm asked if I model my characters on real people. Emphatically, no. And sort of, yes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-weeks/sometimes-after-a-compliment-about-my-characterization-skills-i-m/) [Brent Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-weeks/) > [“In suffering, we find the true measure of our strength.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-weeks/in-suffering-we-find-the-true-measure-of-our-strength/) [Brent Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-weeks/) > [“Non takuulam. I shall not serve.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-weeks/non-takuulam-i-shall-not-serve/) [Brent Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-weeks/) > [“And on a difference of three minutes, all of history changes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-weeks/and-on-a-difference-of-three-minutes-all-of-history-changes/) [Brent Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-weeks/) > [When you don't know what to do, do what's right and do what's in front of you. But not necessarily what's right in front…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-weeks/when-you-don-t-know-what-to-do-do-what-s-right-and-do-what-s-in-front/) [Brent Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-weeks/) > [“An oath you only keep when it's convenient isn't an oath at all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-weeks/an-oath-you-only-keep-when-it-s-convenient-isn-t-an-oath-at-all/) [Brent Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-weeks/) > [It's easier for me to write certain character types because of my own life experiences, but I find it too artistically limiting to only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-weeks/it-s-easier-for-me-to-write-certain-character-types-because-of-my-own/) [Brent Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-weeks/) > [The God gives simpler problems to lesser men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-weeks/the-god-gives-simpler-problems-to-lesser-men/) [Brent Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-weeks/) > [“At some point, you have to decide not merely what you're going to believe, but how you're going to believe. Are you going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-weeks/at-some-point-you-have-to-decide-not-merely-what-you-re-going-to/) [Brent Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-weeks/) > [“You are a god clad in flesh, Gaelan Starfire, and you're more fragile than you know. Be ware.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-weeks/you-are-a-god-clad-in-flesh-gaelan-starfire-and-you-re-more-fragile/) [Brent Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-weeks/) > [“Might doesn’t make right. Might makes reality.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-weeks/might-doesn-t-make-right-might-makes-reality/) [Brent Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-weeks/) > [“What happens if you do nothing, nothing, there's a price and a terrible freedom to that”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-weeks/what-happens-if-you-do-nothing-nothing-there-s-a-price-and-a-terrible/) [Brent Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-weeks/) [Explore all 235 Brent Weeks quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-weeks/) ## More Editing quotes > [Forcing modern speakers of English to not - whoops, not to split an infinitive because it isn't done in Latin makes about as much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pinker/forcing-modern-speakers-of-english-to-not-whoops-not-to-split-an/) [Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pinker/) > [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [Whenever I finish a film, I feel that this is the worst film that I have made. This is bound to happen because while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajkumar-hirani/whenever-i-finish-a-film-i-feel-that-this-is-the-worst-film-that-i/) [Rajkumar Hirani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajkumar-hirani/) > [A perfect movie is a different thing, but a funny movie is easy. I was really happy that I got everyone that I got.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-walsh/a-perfect-movie-is-a-different-thing-but-a-funny-movie-is-easy-i-was/) [Matt Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-walsh/) > [When I see my movies on the editing table, I do think I could have done them a certain way. The satisfaction is never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sajid-nadiadwala/when-i-see-my-movies-on-the-editing-table-i-do-think-i-could-have/) [Sajid Nadiadwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sajid-nadiadwala/) > [I've driven people mad on films that I've made - I want more takes; I want to try new lines. Then I want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-grant/i-ve-driven-people-mad-on-films-that-i-ve-made-i-want-more-takes-i/) [Hugh Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-grant/) > [Songwriting is like editing. You write down all this stuff - all this bad, stupid stuff - and then you have to get rid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliana-hatfield/songwriting-is-like-editing-you-write-down-all-this-stuff-all-this/) [Juliana Hatfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliana-hatfield/) > [I think what holds people up in creative processes is the expectation of what it is they're doing. It's also the sense of judgement,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-hegarty/i-think-what-holds-people-up-in-creative-processes-is-the-expectation/) [Antony Hegarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-hegarty/) > [And then to see the whole movie, you're pretty much waiting until the end of production. And the major lifting in terms of editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/and-then-to-see-the-whole-movie-you-re-pretty-much-waiting-until-the/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [I believe there's a platonic ideal for every book that is written, like there's the perfect version of the book somewhere in the ether,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-heti/i-believe-there-s-a-platonic-ideal-for-every-book-that-is-written/) [Sheila Heti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-heti/) > [“It’s easy to see what to do once it’s already been done. The difficult time is before it’s to be done, and while you’re…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/it-s-easy-to-see-what-to-do-once-it-s-already-been-done-the-difficult/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [Once you sign on as an actor, you know, you don't go to the editing room, you don't see how they cut, you don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-brooks/once-you-sign-on-as-an-actor-you-know-you-don-t-go-to-the-editing/) [Albert Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-brooks/) > [The momentum of production keeps you from giving up, so it's really the editing and writing phases where things can look bleakest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rian-johnson/the-momentum-of-production-keeps-you-from-giving-up-so-it-s-really/) [Rian Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rian-johnson/) > [I spend a lot of time in preproduction working with authors, and a lot of time in postproduction.: editing, music, all that sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-spend-a-lot-of-time-in-preproduction-working-with-authors-and-a-lot/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) Browse all 938 Editing quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I think of rounds of editing as hammer time. 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