First-draft Quote by john gardner
““Fiction, like sculpture or painting, begins with a rough sketch. One gets down the characters and their behavior any way one can, knowing the sentences will have to be revised,knowing the characters' actions may change. It makes no difference how clumsy the sketch is—sketches are not supposed to be polished and elegant. All that matters is that, going over and over the sketch as if one had all eternity for finishing one's story, one improves now this sentence, now that, noticing what changes the new sentences urge, and in the process one gets the characters and their behavior clearer in one's head, gradually discovering deeper and deeper implications of the characters' problems and hopes.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Art of Fiction, John Gardner, 1983
Writing is an iterative process where rough drafts help clarify characters and plot through continual revision.
In simple terms: Drafts help writers understand characters better.
Key Takeaway
Revise often to deepen story.
Themes
writing
creativity
revision
Mood
reflective
inspired
Type
instructional
creative
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- screenwriting
- creative workshops
Key Concepts
character development
iterative process
storytelling
Questions to Reflect On
- How does revising a draft change your view of a character?
- What part of your story benefits most from repeated sketching?
A Different Perspective
Polished prose may still need structural changes.
