--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: With novels, you're sitting at a desk…" description: "\"With novels, you're sitting at a desk, alone, going slightly crazy, for anywhere from six months to a year with zero feedback.\" — Duane Swierczynski" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b11/duane-swierczynski-41739_books_with-novels-you-re-sitting-at-a-desk-alo_2538557.jpg" --- # With novels, you're sitting at a desk, alone, going… ![“With novels, you're sitting at a desk, alone, going slightly crazy, for anywhere from six months to a year with zero feedback.” quote by Duane Swierczynski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b11/duane-swierczynski-41739_books_with-novels-you-re-sitting-at-a-desk-alo_2538557.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b11/duane-swierczynski-41739_books_with-novels-you-re-sitting-at-a-desk-alo_2538557.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b11/duane-swierczynski-41739_books_with-novels-you-re-sitting-at-a-desk-alo_2538557.jpg) > “With novels, you're sitting at a desk, alone, going slightly crazy, for anywhere from six months to a year with zero feedback.” [Duane Swierczynski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duane-swierczynski/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writing novels often isolates authors for long periods without external feedback, leading to mental strain. **In simple terms:** Writing alone can feel crazy and lonely. Key Takeaway Seek peer review early. Themes isolation creativity mental health Mood reflective solitary Type advice process When to use this quote - first draft - writing retreats - self‑editing - author workshops Key Concepts solitude feedback loops self‑discipline Questions to Reflect On - How can you incorporate feedback while writing? - What routines reduce isolation? A Different Perspective Loneliness can hinder progress without structured support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) ## Related quotes > [Here's what I love: I love sitting at my desk, staring at the blank screen, and beginning that conversation with my imaginary friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-meltzer/here-s-what-i-love-i-love-sitting-at-my-desk-staring-at-the-blank/) [Brad Meltzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-meltzer/) > [Even when I'm just sitting at my desk, I have to get up every twenty minutes or so and walk around, walk around, walk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-auster/even-when-i-m-just-sitting-at-my-desk-i-have-to-get-up-every-twenty/) [Paul Auster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-auster/) > [The challenge for any fiction writer is that your job involves simply sitting at a desk for a very, very long time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-harbach/the-challenge-for-any-fiction-writer-is-that-your-job-involves-simply/) [Chad Harbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-harbach/) > [Persist - don't take no for an answer. If you're happy to sit at your desk and not take any risk, you'll be sitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rubenstein/persist-don-t-take-no-for-an-answer-if-you-re-happy-to-sit-at-your/) [David Rubenstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rubenstein/) > [There was a day where I was sitting at my desk, working 90-hour work weeks, in a suit, looking at a computer, with all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laz-alonso/there-was-a-day-where-i-was-sitting-at-my-desk-working-90-hour-work/) [Laz Alonso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laz-alonso/) > [Writing novels is sitting in a room by yourself for a year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-iles/writing-novels-is-sitting-in-a-room-by-yourself-for-a-year/) [Greg Iles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-iles/) > [When it comes to fund managers and market strategists, this year's hero usually turns into next year's zero.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-bernstein/when-it-comes-to-fund-managers-and-market-strategists-this-year-s/) [William J. 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