--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: And I don't want to begin something, I…" description: "\"And I don't want to begin something, I don't want to write that first sentence until all the important connections in the novel are known to me. As if ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5c/john-irving-337_already-taken_and-i-don-t-want-to-begin-something-i-do_2918715.png" --- # And I don't want to begin something, I don't want to write… ![“And I don't want to begin something, I don't want to write that first sentence until all the important connections in the novel are known to me. As if the story has already taken place, and it's my responsibility to put it in the right order to tell it to you.” quote by John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5c/john-irving-337_already-taken_and-i-don-t-want-to-begin-something-i-do_2918715.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5c/john-irving-337_already-taken_and-i-don-t-want-to-begin-something-i-do_2918715.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5c/john-irving-337_already-taken_and-i-don-t-want-to-begin-something-i-do_2918715.png) > “And I don't want to begin something, I don't want to write that first sentence until all the important connections in the novel are known to me. As if the story has already taken place, and it's my responsibility to put it in the right order to tell it to you.” [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He delays writing until he fully grasps the novel’s internal logic, treating the story as pre‑existing. **In simple terms:** Wait for understanding before starting. Key Takeaway Know the whole before you begin. Themes planning creativity structure Mood reflective determined Type advice process When to use this quote - novel drafting - screenwriting - academic research - storyboarding Key Concepts Narrative theory authorial intent Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance preparation with action? - What risks arise from over‑planning? A Different Perspective Waiting can cause missed deadlines and loss of momentum. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Already taken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/already-taken/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Connections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/connections/) [Connections Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/connections-novel-4241844/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important/) [Known](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/known/) [Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel/) [Novel Known](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel-known-4241845/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility/) [Sentence Important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sentence-important-4241846/) [Sentences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sentences/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Taken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taken/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Want Begin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want-begin-811805/) [Want Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want-write/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“Make a character want something — that’s how you begin.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/make-a-character-want-something-that-s-how-you-begin/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [Some people think they want begin new your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-smileyy/some-people-think-they-want-begin-new-your-life/) [Lil Smileyy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-smileyy/) > [“Begin. . . where you are, NOT where you want to be. 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Miss Frost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/nostalgia-miss-frost-cried-you-re-nostalgic-she-repeated-just-how-old/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [ “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… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/just-because-a-bunch-of-atheists-are-better-writers-than-the-guys-who/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [It is much easier to be flexible about where a story begins than it ever was for me to change my mind about where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/it-is-much-easier-to-be-flexible-about-where-a-story-begins-than-it/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [“Only the chicken-lover will understand me. He will give me a kindly look, maybe mildly desirous. 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