Audience Quote by David Sedaris
“I think I became a better writer after I started writing for the New Yorker. Well, I know I did. And part of it was having my New Yorker editor and part of it is that was when I started really going on tour and reading things in front of an audience 30 times and then going back in the room and rewriting it and reading it and rewriting it. So you really get the rhythm of the sentences down and you really get the flow down and you get rid of stuff that's not important.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 2005
Writing regularly for a prestigious magazine and performing work aloud refines rhythm, clarity, and editing skill.
In simple terms: Practice and feedback improve writing.
Key Takeaway
Write, read aloud, revise.
Themes
writing craft
performance
editing
Mood
reflective
motivational
Type
creative
process
When to use this quote
- author workshops
- public readings
- self‑editing
- creative development
Key Concepts
iterative process
audience feedback
Questions to Reflect On
- How does audience feedback shape your voice?
- What habits help you edit ruthlessly?
A Different Perspective
Time‑intensive; not all writers have such platforms.
![“I just so desperately wanted to be published in New Yorker, and I'd so desperately try to get something in it. But I'd always get nice letters back telling me that Mr. Shawn [William Shawn, the New Yorker's editor from 1952 to 1987] just didn't like this or didn't like that about what I submitted.” quote by Kevin Sessums](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/042/kevin-sessums-9486_editors_i-just-so-desperately-wanted-to-be-publi_606050.jpg)
![“David Remnick [the New Yorker's editor in chief]is about as interested in anything gay as I am interested in anything to do with baseball. It drives me nuts.” quote by Kevin Sessums](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/eae/kevin-sessums-9486_baseball_david-remnick-the-new-yorker-s-editor-in_636097.jpg)
