--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think it's dangerous to think you know…" description: "\"I think it's dangerous to think you know what you're writing. I usually don't know, and usually I just discover it in the course of writing. I envy tho..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c6e/jay-mcinerney-7092_dangerous_i-think-it-s-dangerous-to-think-you-know_342345.jpg" --- # I think it's dangerous to think you know what you're… ![“I think it's dangerous to think you know what you're writing. I usually don't know, and usually I just discover it in the course of writing. I envy those writers who can outline a beginning, a middle, and end. Fitzgerald supposedly did it. John Irving does. Bret Easton Ellis does. But for me, the…” quote by Jay McInerney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c6e/jay-mcinerney-7092_dangerous_i-think-it-s-dangerous-to-think-you-know_342345.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c6e/jay-mcinerney-7092_dangerous_i-think-it-s-dangerous-to-think-you-know_342345.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c6e/jay-mcinerney-7092_dangerous_i-think-it-s-dangerous-to-think-you-know_342345.jpg) > “I think it's dangerous to think you know what you're writing. I usually don't know, and usually I just discover it in the course of writing. I envy those writers who can outline a beginning, a middle, and end. Fitzgerald supposedly did it. John Irving does. Bret Easton Ellis does. But for me, the writing itself is the process of discovery. I can't see all that far ahead.” [Jay McInerney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mcinerney/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writing is a discovery process; over‑planning can stifle creativity, while embracing uncertainty leads to organic development. **In simple terms:** Writing reveals itself as you go. Key Takeaway Embrace uncertainty and let ideas unfold. Themes creativity process discovery uncertainty writing Mood inquisitive inspirational Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - novel drafting - journal entries - screenwriting - blogging Key Concepts narrative theory flow state creative improvisation Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance structure with spontaneity? - What habits help you stay open to discovery? A Different Perspective Relying on strict outlines may limit originality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Envy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/envy/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I envy those writers who outline their novels, who know where they're going. But I find writing is a process of discovery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mcinerney/i-envy-those-writers-who-outline-their-novels-who-know-where-they-re/) [Jay McInerney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mcinerney/) > [I never quite know when I'm not writing. Sometimes my wife comes up to me at a party and says, "Dammit, Thurber, stop writing."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-thurber/i-never-quite-know-when-i-m-not-writing-sometimes-my-wife-comes-up-to/) [James Thurber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-thurber/) > [I know very few writers who outline fully before they start. 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