--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: After ten standard months I was done…" description: "\"“After ten standard months I was done, acknowledging the ancient aphorism to the effect that no book or poem is ever finished, merely abandoned.”\" — Da..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5be/dan-simmons-968_books_after-ten-standard-months-i-was-done-ack_2308606.jpg" --- # After ten standard months I was done, acknowledging the… ![“After ten standard months I was done, acknowledging the ancient aphorism to the effect that no book or poem is ever finished, merely abandoned.” quote by Dan Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5be/dan-simmons-968_books_after-ten-standard-months-i-was-done-ack_2308606.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5be/dan-simmons-968_books_after-ten-standard-months-i-was-done-ack_2308606.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5be/dan-simmons-968_books_after-ten-standard-months-i-was-done-ack_2308606.jpg) > ““After ten standard months I was done, acknowledging the ancient aphorism to the effect that no book or poem is ever finished, merely abandoned.”” [Dan Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-simmons/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He acknowledges that creative works are never truly finished, only set aside, reflecting the endless nature of artistic revision. **In simple terms:** Works are never truly finished. Key Takeaway Accept imperfection, keep revising. Themes creativity completion artistic process perfectionism Mood thoughtful reflective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - writing drafts - editing cycles - project completion - creative acceptance Key Concepts theory of art creative workflow unfinished art Questions to Reflect On - When do you decide a work is complete? - How does letting go affect your creativity? A Different Perspective Perfectionism can stall progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [No book or poem is ever finished, merely abandoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-simmons/no-book-or-poem-is-ever-finished-merely-abandoned/) [Dan Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-simmons/) > [A work of art is never finished. It is merely abandoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-m-forster/a-work-of-art-is-never-finished-it-is-merely-abandoned/) [E. M. Forster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-m-forster/) > [Books are never finished, They are merely abandoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/books-are-never-finished-they-are-merely-abandoned/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [A poem is never finished, only abandoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-valery/a-poem-is-never-finished-only-abandoned/) [Paul Valery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-valery/) > [I know the sag of the unfinished poem. 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