Demand Quote by John Updike
“Some stories or passages are more difficult and demand more fussing with than others, but, in general, I'm a two-draft writer rather than a six-draft writer, or whatever.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Paris Review, John Updike, 1972
The author prefers drafting twice over many revisions, valuing efficiency over perfection.
In simple terms: He writes in two drafts, not six.
Embrace concise revision.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- publishing
- academic writing
- personal projects
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How many drafts do you need for clarity?
- When is a single revision enough?
May miss depth that multiple drafts can uncover.