Back and forth Quote by Dan Chaon
“I usually have more than one thing I'm working on at once -- I've been working on three different novels. When I get stuck on one, I hop back and forth. It's sort of freeing: I can say I'm abandoning this thing that I hate forever and I'm moving on to something that's good. I'll find that I'll go back to [the other project] in a day or a week and like it again. But that moment of wanting to trash something -- that Virginia Woolf moment when you have to be stopped from filling your pocket with stones -- comes pretty regularly for me. Switching is probably a good thing.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, Dan Chaon, 2020
Multitasking creative projects can prevent stagnation, allowing ideas to incubate and revive.
In simple terms: Working on many things keeps creativity fresh.
Key Takeaway
Embrace project switching for momentum.
Themes
creativity
productivity
focus
flexibility
growth
Mood
inspirational
pragmatic
Type
literary
motivational
When to use this quote
- writing sessions
- artistic collaborations
- personal development
Key Concepts
flow state
creative block
project management
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you decide which project to prioritize?
- What rituals help transition between tasks?
A Different Perspective
Frequent switching may dilute depth of work.
