Four Quote by Margery Allingham
“I write every paragraph four times - once to get my meaning down, once to put in anything I have left out, once to take out anything that seems unnecessary, and once to make the whole thing sound as if I had only just thought of it.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Adapted from a writing advice interview, 20th century
The author revises each paragraph four times to clarify meaning, fill gaps, remove excess, and achieve a natural flow.
In simple terms: Multiple drafts improve clarity and authenticity.
Key Takeaway
Revise repeatedly for precision and ease.
Themes
writing
revision
clarity
process
Mood
instructive
practical
Type
advice
process
When to use this quote
- author workshops
- academic essays
- novel drafting
- blog posts
- screenplays
Key Concepts
drafting
editing
self‑critique
iteration
Questions to Reflect On
- What is your optimal number of drafts?
- How do you balance polish with spontaneity?
A Different Perspective
Too many revisions can stall progress.
![“The only regret I have in my career, is my managers wanted a big payday, and I wanted four or five more fights before going in with [Larry] Holmes. That would have made all the difference.” quote by Gerry Cooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d63/gerry-cooney-20863_bigs_the-only-regret-i-have-in-my-career-is-m_1534.jpg)
