--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Getting the first draft finished is like…" description: "\"“Getting the first draft finished is like pushing a very dirty peanut across the floor with your nose.”\" — Joyce Carol Oates" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e17/joyce-carol-oates-344_dirty_getting-the-first-draft-finished-is-like_1657324.png" --- # Getting the first draft finished is like pushing a very… ![“Getting the first draft finished is like pushing a very dirty peanut across the floor with your nose.” quote by Joyce Carol Oates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e17/joyce-carol-oates-344_dirty_getting-the-first-draft-finished-is-like_1657324.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e17/joyce-carol-oates-344_dirty_getting-the-first-draft-finished-is-like_1657324.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e17/joyce-carol-oates-344_dirty_getting-the-first-draft-finished-is-like_1657324.png) > ““Getting the first draft finished is like pushing a very dirty peanut across the floor with your nose.”” [Joyce Carol Oates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-carol-oates/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Finishing a rough draft feels messy and awkward, yet it’s a necessary, imperfect start toward a polished work. **In simple terms:** First drafts are messy but essential. Key Takeaway Embrace the mess; keep moving forward. Themes writing creativity process Mood determined reflective Type advice motivational When to use this quote - novel writing - academic paper - blog post - screenplay - personal journal Key Concepts drafting imperfection iteration Questions to Reflect On - How can you make the messy part feel less daunting? - What small step can you take to push the draft forward? A Different Perspective Drafts may be low quality and can stall motivation if not accepted. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dirty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dirty/) [Dirty Peanut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dirty-peanut-719306/) [Draft Finished](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/draft-finished-719308/) [Peanut Floor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peanut-floor-719307/) [Pushing Dirty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pushing-dirty-719305/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writers-on-writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writers-on-writing/) ## Related quotes > [Getting the first draft finished is like pushing a peanut with your nose across a very dirty floor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-carol-oates/getting-the-first-draft-finished-is-like-pushing-a-peanut-with-your/) [Joyce Carol Oates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-carol-oates/) > [“The writer does not dare dream of giving the best of his individuality. 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