Flatter Quote by Janet Flanner
“I keep going over a sentence. I nag it, gnaw it, pat and flatter it.”
About This Quote
Source Magazine: The New Yorker, “The Art of Writing,” 1935
The writer obsessively revises a sentence, treating it with both criticism and admiration to achieve perfection.
In simple terms: Revision is a blend of critique and affection.
Iterate with both rigor and love.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- editing drafts
- creative writing workshops
- academic papers
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When does polishing become paralysis?
- How can we balance critique with confidence?
Over‑editing can stall progress and cause self‑doubt.