Doubt Quote by David Morrell
““Don't give in to doubt. Never be discouraged if your first draft isn't what you thought it would be. Given skill and a story that compels you, muster your determination and make what's on the page closer to what you have in your mind. The chances are that you'll never make them identical. That's one reason I'm still hitting the keyboard. Obsessed by the secrets of my past, I try to put metaphorical versions of them on the page, but each time, no matter how honest and hard my effort, what's in my mind hasn't been fully expressed, compelling me to keep trying. To paraphrase a passage from John Barth's "Lost in the Funhouse," I'll die telling stories to myself in the dark. But there's never enough time. There was never enough time.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Writing Process, 2019
Writers must accept imperfect drafts, persist despite gaps between vision and text, and keep refining because perfection is unattainable.
In simple terms: Keep writing despite imperfect drafts; perfection isn’t reachable.
Key Takeaway
Embrace imperfection and keep revising.
Themes
creativity
perseverance
self‑critique
Mood
determined
introspective
Type
reflective
motivational
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- screenwriting
- personal journaling
Key Concepts
process
drafting
metaphor
authorial identity
Questions to Reflect On
- What part of your work feels unfinished?
- How do you balance honesty with revision?
A Different Perspective
Perfectionism can stall progress if not managed.
