--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: One cannot judge in advance whether or…" description: "\"“One cannot judge in advance whether or not the idea of the story is worthwhile because until one has finished writing the story one does not know for ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0fe/john-gardner-3092_first-draft_one-cannot-judge-in-advance-whether-or-n_912907.jpg" --- # One cannot judge in advance whether or not the idea of the… ![“One cannot judge in advance whether or not the idea of the story is worthwhile because until one has finished writing the story one does not know for sure what the idea is; and one cannot judge the style of a story on the basis of a first draft, because in a first draft the style of the finished…” quote by John Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0fe/john-gardner-3092_first-draft_one-cannot-judge-in-advance-whether-or-n_912907.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0fe/john-gardner-3092_first-draft_one-cannot-judge-in-advance-whether-or-n_912907.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0fe/john-gardner-3092_first-draft_one-cannot-judge-in-advance-whether-or-n_912907.jpg) > ““One cannot judge in advance whether or not the idea of the story is worthwhile because until one has finished writing the story one does not know for sure what the idea is; and one cannot judge the style of a story on the basis of a first draft, because in a first draft the style of the finished story does not yet exist.”” [John Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gardner/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The value and style of a story can only be judged after it is completed, because initial drafts lack the final shape and substance. **In simple terms:** You can’t fully assess a story’s worth or style until it’s finished. Key Takeaway Finish writing before judging its merit. Themes writing assessment creativity Mood reflective analytical Type literary educational process When to use this quote - novel drafting - screenplay writing - academic essays - story workshops Key Concepts Narrative development creative process Questions to Reflect On - How does completing a draft change your perception of its idea? - What risks arise from judging too early? A Different Perspective Early drafts may mislead about quality; revisions can change direction. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [First-draft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-draft-64627/) [Idea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idea/) [Idea Judge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idea-judge-1353016/) [Idea Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idea-story-1353017/) [Story Basis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/story-basis-1353018/) [Story Worthwhile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/story-worthwhile-1353015/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [The technology is really where all of the changes have taken place, but the fundamentals of a good story being the basis of every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-d-zanuck/the-technology-is-really-where-all-of-the-changes-have-taken-place/) [Richard D. 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