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Cutting Quote by David Mamet

“A good writer gets better only by learning to cut, to remove the ornamental, the descriptive, the narrative, and especially the deeply felt and meaningful. What remains? The story remains.” quote by David Mamet
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“A good writer gets better only by learning to cut, to remove the ornamental, the descriptive, the narrative, and especially the deeply felt and meaningful. What remains? The story remains.”

David Mamet

About This Quote

Source Play: Glengarry Glen Ross, 1984

Effective writing demands stripping away excess to reveal the core narrative.

In simple terms: Cut unnecessary details to keep the story alive.

Key Takeaway

Edit ruthlessly, keep the story.

Themes

writing editing creativity clarity

Mood

analytical motivational

Type

inspirational practical

When to use this quote

  • novel drafting
  • script polishing
  • blog post revision
  • academic paper editing

Key Concepts

minimalism storytelling narrative discipline

Questions to Reflect On

  • What elements are essential to your story?
  • How do you balance brevity with depth?
A Different Perspective

Over‑editing can erase nuance and voice.

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