Book Quote by Margaret Mahy
“When you are writing, of course, you have to do all that writing and correcting for yourself. When I was a librarian it was expected that I would know about a wide range of books.”
About This Quote
Writing requires self‑editing and broad knowledge; the speaker recalls librarian expectations of extensive literary awareness, highlighting the discipline of craft and the value of diverse reading.
In simple terms: Writing demands self‑editing and wide reading.
Key Takeaway
Broad knowledge aids disciplined writing.
Themes
writing
self‑editing
knowledge
librarianship
literature
Mood
pragmatic
instructive
Type
advice
professional insight
When to use this quote
- author drafting a manuscript
- student preparing a research paper
- editor reviewing submissions
Key Concepts
professional standards
continuous learning
Practical Applications
- Maintain a personal reading list across genres
- Practice iterative self‑revision
Questions to Reflect On
- How does reading diverse genres improve your writing?
- When should you seek external critique?
A Different Perspective
Self‑editing alone may miss blind spots; external feedback remains essential.
