Ahead Quote by Heidi Julavits
“Usually I'll write all the way through to an end, and then I go back and try to fix the ending so that it makes sense. I don't think out the plot ahead of time.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Writing process discussion, 2020
She drafts a story fully before revising the ending to ensure coherence, rather than planning the plot in advance.
In simple terms: Write fully then edit ending for sense.
Key Takeaway
Revise endings for clarity.
Themes
writing process
creativity
revision
storytelling
planning
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
process
creative
When to use this quote
- Novel writing
- screenwriting
- academic essays
Key Concepts
Narrative structure
authorial intent
iterative drafting
Questions to Reflect On
- Does revising the ending change the story’s meaning?
- When is it better to outline before writing?
A Different Perspective
Over‑editing can stifle spontaneity.
![“Shakespeare, who never could think up a plot by himself, found this one [Macbeth] in Holinshed's Chronicles, changing it just enough so that no one would recognize the source. He didn't count on the resourcefulness of modern scholars, who have to discover things like this to become associate…” quote by Richard Armour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/130/richard-armour-14098_associates_shakespeare-who-never-could-think-up-a-p_2382155.jpg)
