Certain Quote by John Banville
“When I finish a sentence, after much labor, it's finished. A certain point comes at which you can't do any more work on it because you know it will kill the sentence.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Literary Discussion, 2015
The writer describes the moment a sentence reaches completion, where further editing would damage its integrity.
In simple terms: A finished sentence should not be over‑edited.
Key Takeaway
Respect the natural end of a piece.
Themes
writing
editing
creativity
discipline
artistic integrity
Mood
reflective
analytical
instructive
Type
literary
professional
philosophical
When to use this quote
- drafting
- final revisions
- creative burnout
Key Concepts
process of composition
creative limits
authorial judgment
Questions to Reflect On
- When should you stop refining your work?
- How do you recognize a sentence’s natural end?
A Different Perspective
Over‑editing can stifle originality.
