Back Quote by Francine Prose
“If things are going well I can easily spend twelve hours a day writing, but not writing writing, just thinking and revising and taking a comma out and putting it back in.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: "The Writer’s Process" on The Paris Review, 2018
When inspiration flows, the writer spends hours refining thoughts, not just producing words, emphasizing the importance of revision.
In simple terms: Writers spend time revising, not just writing.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize editing and thoughtful revision.
Themes
writing
revision
creativity
process
Mood
reflective
calm
Type
literary
instructive
When to use this quote
- novel drafting
- academic paper revisions
- blog post polishing
Key Concepts
editing
mindful drafting
attention to detail
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you know when a draft is ready for editing?
- What strategies keep revision productive?
A Different Perspective
Excessive revision can stall completion if not balanced with forward momentum.
