Disposable Quote by Colm Toibin
“The problem is once you've written the opening paragraph and worked out how the rest of the story will go in your head, there's nothing in it for you. I write in longhand using disposable fountain pens on the right-hand side of the notebook for the first draft, then I rewrite some of the sentences and paragraphs on the left-hand side.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 2016
Writing a story feels empty if you only imagine it; you need physical drafts to engage with your ideas.
In simple terms: Writing needs tangible drafts to feel real.
Key Takeaway
Write first drafts by hand.
Themes
writing
process
drafting
Mood
reflective
introspective
Type
advice
process
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- screenwriting
- personal journaling
Key Concepts
Creative writing
embodied cognition
Questions to Reflect On
- How does hand‑writing affect your creative flow?
- What benefits do you get from revising on the same page?
A Different Perspective
Physical writing can be slower and messy.
