About Quote by John Updike
“I should mention something that nobody ever thinks about, but proofreading takes a lot of time. After you write something, there are these proofs that keep coming, and there's this panicky feeling that 'This is me and I must make it better.'”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Art of Proofreading", The New Yorker, 1975
Proofreading consumes much time and creates anxiety about perfection after writing.
In simple terms: Proofreading is time‑intensive and can cause self‑doubt.
Key Takeaway
Accept imperfection; set realistic editing limits.
Themes
perfectionism
writing
anxiety
Mood
reflective
determined
Type
advice
reflective
When to use this quote
- academic writing
- novel drafting
- business reports
- email correspondence
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
self‑criticism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance quality with efficiency?
- What strategies reduce editing anxiety?
A Different Perspective
Perfectionism can stall progress and increase stress.
