Book Quote by Maggie O'Farrell
“In the course of writing a book I'll produce loads of pieces of paper to help the novel itself. Diagrams, charts, family trees. And at the end of each book I'll pack it all away. It takes me a while to do it - it's like a relationship that way; there's a period of letting - go, of grief, in a way - but then I box it up, label it, and put it in the attic.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Author discussion on novel preparation, 2023
The writer creates many physical aids during drafting, then stores them away, feeling both loss and closure.
In simple terms: Writers make and later discard research materials, experiencing grief and relief.
Key Takeaway
Accept the process of creation and letting go.
Themes
writing
organization
attachment
closure
Mood
reflective
nostalgic
Type
process
personal
When to use this quote
- drafting a novel
- archiving research
- decluttering workspace
- reflecting on completed projects
Key Concepts
creative process
archival practice
emotional transition
Questions to Reflect On
- What do you keep from past projects?
- How does letting go affect future creativity?
A Different Perspective
The stored materials may still hold useful insights if discarded too quickly.
![“When you're writing a book, it's rather like going on a very long walk, across valleys and mountains and things [...] The highest mountain on the walk is obviously the end of the book, because it's got to be the best view of all, when everything comes together and you can look back and see that…” quote by Roald Dahl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/07a/roald-dahl-899_being-the-best_when-you-re-writing-a-book-it-s-rather-l_1102879.jpg)
