Book Quote by John Irving
“I write very quickly; I rewrite very slowly. It takes me nearly as long to rewrite a book as it does to get the first draft. I can write more quickly than I can read.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 1995
Writing is fast at first but polishing takes as much time as the initial creation, highlighting the labor of revision.
In simple terms: First drafts are quick; revisions are slow.
Key Takeaway
Allocate ample time for editing.
Themes
writing
revision
creativity
Mood
reflective
determined
Type
advice
inspirational
When to use this quote
- novel drafting
- academic papers
- blog posts
- screenplays
- self‑help books
Key Concepts
process
craft
perseverance
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance speed and depth in your work?
- What strategies improve the revision process?
A Different Perspective
Even with fast drafting, quality depends on careful revision.
![“JUST BECAUSE A BUNCH OF ATHEISTS ARE BETTER WRITERS THAN THE GUYS WHO WROTE THE BIBLE DOESN'T NECESSARILY MAKE THEM RIGHT!" [Owen Meany] said crossly. "LOOK AT THOSE WEIRDO TV MIRACLE-WORKERS--THEY'RE TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO BELIEVE IN MAGIC! BUT THE REAL MIRACLES AREN'T ANYTHING YOU CAN…” quote by John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70e/john-irving-337_atheists_just-because-a-bunch-of-atheists-are-bet_31804.jpg)
