Books Quote by John Burnside
“Usually, I would mistrust a book if it took that long to write. Usually, if it isn't done in two years, I suspect there's something wrong and throw it away.”
About This Quote
The author doubts the quality of a book that takes unusually long to write, assuming prolonged creation signals hidden problems.
In simple terms: Long‑writing books seem suspect.
Key Takeaway
Extended creation time often raises skepticism.
Themes
writing process
skepticism
quality perception
timelines
authorial effort
Mood
skeptical
critical
Type
observational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- publishing industry evaluations
- software development cycles
- academic research reviews
- film production schedules
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
productivity myths
Practical Applications
- Assess work based on content, not duration.
- Seek peer reviews rather than relying on time cues.
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we equate speed with competence?
- How can we better evaluate work quality independent of timeline?
A Different Perspective
Some complex works genuinely need longer development to achieve depth and accuracy.
![“My father was one of those men who sit in a room and you can feel it: the simmer, the sense of some unpredictable force that might, at any moment, break loose, and do something terrible. [Burnside, p. 27]” quote by John Burnside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/672/john-burnside-8167_break_my-father-was-one-of-those-men-who-sit-i_167810.jpg)
