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Book Quote by John Irving

“For most of my life, when I've finished the book I'm writing, there've always been as many as two or three other novels waiting to be written next. And the decision driving which one of them it should be was never based on how long it had waited or how many accumulated pages of notes I had.” quote by John Irving
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“For most of my life, when I've finished the book I'm writing, there've always been as many as two or three other novels waiting to be written next. And the decision driving which one of them it should be was never based on how long it had waited or how many accumulated pages of notes I had.”

John Irving

About This Quote

The author prioritizes creative impulse over waiting time or accumulated notes, letting inspiration dictate which project to pursue next.

In simple terms: Choose projects by inspiration, not backlog.

Key Takeaway

Creative drive outweighs chronological order.

Themes

creativity writing process decision making

Mood

inspired reflective

Type

creative process

When to use this quote

  • author workshops
  • creative brainstorming sessions
  • personal writing schedules

Key Concepts

intuition project selection

Practical Applications

  • Track ideas loosely
  • Follow strongest creative urge

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can writers balance intuition with practical goals?
  • When might a delayed project be more valuable?
A Different Perspective

Relying solely on intuition may neglect strategic planning and market considerations.

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