Clear Quote by Chuck Klosterman
“If somebody asked for the first draft of something I'd written, it'd probably be pretty close to whatever got published. I get enjoyment out of writing, but I get absolutely no enjoyment out of rewriting, so I don't do much of it. The more you work on something, certainly, the better it gets. But there's also a pretty clear law of diminishing returns.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 2015
The author enjoys creating original drafts but dislikes revising, noting that while effort can improve work, returns diminish after a point.
In simple terms: He loves first drafts, hates rewriting; effort helps but only up to a limit.
Key Takeaway
Embrace initial creativity, limit excessive revisions.
Themes
creativity
process
effort
perfectionism
Mood
frustrated
reflective
Type
advice
process
creative.
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- blog posts
- academic papers
- screenplays
- marketing copy
Key Concepts
drafting
revision
law of diminishing returns
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you balance initial inspiration with needed refinement?
- When does revision become counterproductive?
A Different Perspective
Excessive polishing can stall projects and reduce spontaneity.
![“We have no clear ideas of the agency of [demonic] spirits, nor is it necessary. The Scripture says little to satisfy our curiosity; but tells us plainly that he is always watching us, and desiring to sift us as wheat. I believe we give him no more than his due, when we charge him with having a…” quote by John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c75/john-newton-6629_abundance_we-have-no-clear-ideas-of-the-agency-of_2907.jpg)
