--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Your spouse, a sibling, a friend need to…" description: "\"Your spouse, a sibling, a friend need to read your drafts. They have to be people unafraid to tell you what sucks. For early feedback, that's more impo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/145/douglas-brunt-18401_early_your-spouse-a-sibling-a-friend-need-to-r_2101135.jpg" --- # Your spouse, a sibling, a friend need to read your drafts… ![“Your spouse, a sibling, a friend need to read your drafts. They have to be people unafraid to tell you what sucks. For early feedback, that's more important than professional editorial skill. Most people know what sucks.” quote by Douglas Brunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/145/douglas-brunt-18401_early_your-spouse-a-sibling-a-friend-need-to-r_2101135.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/145/douglas-brunt-18401_early_your-spouse-a-sibling-a-friend-need-to-r_2101135.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/145/douglas-brunt-18401_early_your-spouse-a-sibling-a-friend-need-to-r_2101135.jpg) > “Your spouse, a sibling, a friend need to read your drafts. They have to be people unafraid to tell you what sucks. For early feedback, that's more important than professional editorial skill. Most people know what sucks.” [Douglas Brunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-brunt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote advises seeking honest feedback from close, who can candidly point out flaws, valuing personal insight over professional editing. **In simple terms:** Get honest feedback from trusted people. Key Takeaway Prioritize candid input from loved ones. Themes writing feedback trust Mood encouraging practical Type advice motivational When to use this quote - draft reviews - creative collaboration - personal growth Key Concepts critique communication authenticity Questions to Reflect On - Who can you trust to critique your work? - How does honesty affect your creative process? A Different Perspective Professional editors may miss personal resonance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Sibling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sibling/) [Skill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skill/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) ## Related quotes > [“While paying attention to positive and negative feedback is very important, it is not enough. What also matters is acknowledging and responding to this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cendrine-marrouat/while-paying-attention-to-positive-and-negative-feedback-is-very/) [Cendrine Marrouat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cendrine-marrouat/) > [I have never thought of myself as a good writer. Anyone who wants reassurance of that should read one of my first drafts. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-michener/i-have-never-thought-of-myself-as-a-good-writer-anyone-who-wants/) [James A. Michener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-michener/) > [Performance feedback is important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morten-andersen/performance-feedback-is-important/) [Morten Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morten-andersen/) > [ I remember Emilio \[Estevez\] and I were at John's house during the rehearsal process. And John \[Huges\] had mentioned he wrote the first draft… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judd-nelson/i-remember-emilio-estevez-and-i-were-at-john-s-house-during-the/) [Judd Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judd-nelson/) > [I haven't had trouble with writer's block. I think it's because my process involves writing very badly. My first drafts are filled with lurching,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/i-haven-t-had-trouble-with-writer-s-block-i-think-it-s-because-my/) [Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/) > [It's always hard, but it's always fun to attack a premise that you think is interesting. It does take a few drafts for sure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-levin/it-s-always-hard-but-it-s-always-fun-to-attack-a-premise-that-you/) [Victor Levin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-levin/) > [I'm constantly at war with myself to quit goofing around, and the internet hasn't helped that any. I've learned that I have to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-abu-jaber/i-m-constantly-at-war-with-myself-to-quit-goofing-around-and-the/) [Diana Abu-Jaber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-abu-jaber/) > [I'm pretty obsessive-compulsive, and I'm very fast. I tend to not write for a long period of time until I can't not write, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rapp/i-m-pretty-obsessive-compulsive-and-i-m-very-fast-i-tend-to-not-write/) [Adam Rapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rapp/) > [I'd really be happy with any team that drafts me. It means they see something in me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ja-morant/i-d-really-be-happy-with-any-team-that-drafts-me-it-means-they-see/) [Ja Morant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ja-morant/) > [Obviously, drafts sometimes are good ones, or bad ones; I think you can get a good, quality player late in the lottery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grant-hill/obviously-drafts-sometimes-are-good-ones-or-bad-ones-i-think-you-can/) [Grant Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grant-hill/) > [I don't read anything electronically. I don't write electronically, either - except e-mails to my family and friends. I write in longhand. I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/i-don-t-read-anything-electronically-i-don-t-write-electronically/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [I number my drafts, and by the time a book is done, I'll have 75 or 80 drafts of some sections.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/i-number-my-drafts-and-by-the-time-a-book-is-done-i-ll-have-75-or-80/) [Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/) > [I have to re-write a lot. I couldn't tell you how many drafts I write, but I know I've done at least twenty rewrites…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-willis-holt/i-have-to-re-write-a-lot-i-couldn-t-tell-you-how-many-drafts-i-write/) [Kimberly Willis Holt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-willis-holt/) > [With my first book, I was hired to write a draft of the script. I was so young and less confident. They put me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-donoghue/with-my-first-book-i-was-hired-to-write-a-draft-of-the-script-i-was/) [Emma Donoghue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-donoghue/) > [Recently a study proved that working from a larger, less cluttered computer screen increases concentration. I could have told them that. And yes, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-schiff/recently-a-study-proved-that-working-from-a-larger-less-cluttered/) [Stacy Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-schiff/) ## More by Douglas Brunt > [It's common knowledge that professional athletes earn extraordinary incomes. What is less known or understood is how the advent of these riches has seeped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-brunt/it-s-common-knowledge-that-professional-athletes-earn-extraordinary/) [Douglas Brunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-brunt/) > [D.C. is a small town with some big-town features.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-brunt/d-c-is-a-small-town-with-some-big-town-features/) [Douglas Brunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-brunt/) > [I like to write in the mornings, so I try to protect 9 A.M. - 12 P.M. for me. I can drop our older…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-brunt/i-like-to-write-in-the-mornings-so-i-try-to-protect-9-a-m-12-p-m-for/) [Douglas Brunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-brunt/) > [I do like Pat Conroy, and 'The Great Santini' is an iconic book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-brunt/i-do-like-pat-conroy-and-the-great-santini-is-an-iconic-book/) [Douglas Brunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-brunt/) > [The last book I read before I wrote my first book - 'Ghosts of Manhattan' - was 'The Gold Coast' by DeMille. I loved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-brunt/the-last-book-i-read-before-i-wrote-my-first-book-ghosts-of-manhattan/) [Douglas Brunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-brunt/) > [I'm really troubled by the prevalence of single-sport specializations. I want my kids to do as many things for as long as they can.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-brunt/i-m-really-troubled-by-the-prevalence-of-single-sport-specializations/) [Douglas Brunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-brunt/) > [When the kids are down, I have a drink and watch 'The Kelly File.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-brunt/when-the-kids-are-down-i-have-a-drink-and-watch-the-kelly-file/) [Douglas Brunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-brunt/) > [I've seen terrorism close up, but I don't live in a state of terror at all. I'm comfortable going to the Manhattan Thanksgiving Day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-brunt/i-ve-seen-terrorism-close-up-but-i-don-t-live-in-a-state-of-terror-at/) [Douglas Brunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-brunt/) > [I've been pretty damn happy since 2001. More apparent danger than real danger for me, and even the apparent danger hasn't kept me from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-brunt/i-ve-been-pretty-damn-happy-since-2001-more-apparent-danger-than-real/) [Douglas Brunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-brunt/) > [Dad met Mom in 1983 during the lead-up to the 1984 games. She was an Olympic downhill skier. In those days, the winter and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-brunt/dad-met-mom-in-1983-during-the-lead-up-to-the-1984-games-she-was-an/) [Douglas Brunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-brunt/) > [The important thing is to write when your brain is at its best. Work edits or do outside reading with the rest of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-brunt/the-important-thing-is-to-write-when-your-brain-is-at-its-best-work/) [Douglas Brunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-brunt/) > [A tennis racket lurks in my earliest memories like a sick relative who had come to live with us. When I look at my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-brunt/a-tennis-racket-lurks-in-my-earliest-memories-like-a-sick-relative/) [Douglas Brunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-brunt/) > [If you look at top players - Steffi Graf, Andre Agassi - so many had a parent who was domineering to the point where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-brunt/if-you-look-at-top-players-steffi-graf-andre-agassi-so-many-had-a/) [Douglas Brunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-brunt/) > [The job for cable is to give the news and then also give the 'so what.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-brunt/the-job-for-cable-is-to-give-the-news-and-then-also-give-the-so-what/) [Douglas Brunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-brunt/) > [Wall Street has played a role in everyone's life, and it has been vilified by everyone, but I think that the average trader didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-brunt/wall-street-has-played-a-role-in-everyone-s-life-and-it-has-been/) [Douglas Brunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-brunt/) [Explore all 35 Douglas Brunt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-brunt/) ## More Drafts quotes > [Recently a study proved that working from a larger, less cluttered computer screen increases concentration. I could have told them that. And yes, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-schiff/recently-a-study-proved-that-working-from-a-larger-less-cluttered/) [Stacy Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-schiff/) > [With my first book, I was hired to write a draft of the script. I was so young and less confident. They put me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-donoghue/with-my-first-book-i-was-hired-to-write-a-draft-of-the-script-i-was/) [Emma Donoghue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-donoghue/) > [I have to re-write a lot. I couldn't tell you how many drafts I write, but I know I've done at least twenty rewrites…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-willis-holt/i-have-to-re-write-a-lot-i-couldn-t-tell-you-how-many-drafts-i-write/) [Kimberly Willis Holt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-willis-holt/) > [I number my drafts, and by the time a book is done, I'll have 75 or 80 drafts of some sections.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/i-number-my-drafts-and-by-the-time-a-book-is-done-i-ll-have-75-or-80/) [Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/) > [I don't read anything electronically. I don't write electronically, either - except e-mails to my family and friends. I write in longhand. I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/i-don-t-read-anything-electronically-i-don-t-write-electronically/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [Obviously, drafts sometimes are good ones, or bad ones; I think you can get a good, quality player late in the lottery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grant-hill/obviously-drafts-sometimes-are-good-ones-or-bad-ones-i-think-you-can/) [Grant Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grant-hill/) > [I'd really be happy with any team that drafts me. It means they see something in me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ja-morant/i-d-really-be-happy-with-any-team-that-drafts-me-it-means-they-see/) [Ja Morant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ja-morant/) > [I'm pretty obsessive-compulsive, and I'm very fast. I tend to not write for a long period of time until I can't not write, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rapp/i-m-pretty-obsessive-compulsive-and-i-m-very-fast-i-tend-to-not-write/) [Adam Rapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rapp/) > [I'm constantly at war with myself to quit goofing around, and the internet hasn't helped that any. I've learned that I have to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-abu-jaber/i-m-constantly-at-war-with-myself-to-quit-goofing-around-and-the/) [Diana Abu-Jaber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-abu-jaber/) > [It's always hard, but it's always fun to attack a premise that you think is interesting. It does take a few drafts for sure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-levin/it-s-always-hard-but-it-s-always-fun-to-attack-a-premise-that-you/) [Victor Levin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-levin/) > [I haven't had trouble with writer's block. I think it's because my process involves writing very badly. My first drafts are filled with lurching,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/i-haven-t-had-trouble-with-writer-s-block-i-think-it-s-because-my/) [Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/) > [The thing about our movies is, we write thirty drafts. That's a very detailed script. Which means that if you try to crank it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-chandrasekhar/the-thing-about-our-movies-is-we-write-thirty-drafts-that-s-a-very/) [Jay Chandrasekhar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-chandrasekhar/) > [I wrote the screenplay for 'This Is Where I Leave You' - all 40 drafts of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-tropper/i-wrote-the-screenplay-for-this-is-where-i-leave-you-all-40-drafts-of/) [Jonathan Tropper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-tropper/) > [I can get really obsessive. I like writing many drafts, and I try not to because it is very time-consuming, especially when you're working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-windley/i-can-get-really-obsessive-i-like-writing-many-drafts-and-i-try-not/) [Carol Windley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-windley/) > [I began my first novel when I was 15. It went through three drafts, of around 40,000 words each. If I find it, I'll burn it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-stross/i-began-my-first-novel-when-i-was-15-it-went-through-three-drafts-of/) [Charles Stross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-stross/) Browse all 132 Drafts quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Your spouse, a sibling, a friend need to read your drafts. They have to be people unafraid to tell you what sucks. For early feedback, that's more important than professional editorial skill. 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