---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you do all that work of figuring out…"
description: "\"If you do all that work of figuring out exactly how writing is done, then it's available to you at anytime, and you can build on it. It's like the diff..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acd/mark-salzman-29922_accidents_if-you-do-all-that-work-of-figuring-out_780840.jpg"
---

#  If you do all that work of figuring out exactly how…

![“If you do all that work of figuring out exactly how writing is done, then it's available to you at anytime, and you can build on it. It's like the difference between shooting one hoop and having it go in by accident and saying later, 'I shot a basket,' - and practicing so much you can do it…” quote by Mark Salzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acd/mark-salzman-29922_accidents_if-you-do-all-that-work-of-figuring-out_780840.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acd/mark-salzman-29922_accidents_if-you-do-all-that-work-of-figuring-out_780840.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acd/mark-salzman-29922_accidents_if-you-do-all-that-work-of-figuring-out_780840.jpg)

> “If you do all that work of figuring out exactly how writing is done, then it's available to you at anytime, and you can build on it. It's like the difference between shooting one hoop and having it go in by accident and saying later, 'I shot a basket,' - and practicing so much you can do it whenever you want.”

[Mark Salzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-salzman/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Mastering writing gives you instant access to the skill whenever needed

**In simple terms:** Skill mastery provides instant, reliable use

Key Takeaway

Practice to make writing effortless

Themes

discipline skill acquisition confidence

Mood

focused encouraging

Type

educational motivational

When to use this quote

- academic writing
- creative writing
- public speaking
- content creation

Key Concepts

Deliberate practice muscle memory

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you balance practice with creativity?
- When does reliance on skill hinder innovation?

A Different Perspective

Over‑practice can stifle spontaneity

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Accidents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accidents/) [Differences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differences/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/)

## Related quotes

> [“The hard fact is that writing is available to readers because of market factors as much as particular writing talent.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-sheridan/the-hard-fact-is-that-writing-is-available-to-readers-because-of/)

[Sara Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-sheridan/)

> [All of us, as bodies, are in the active position of figuring out how to live with and against the constructions - or norms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-butler/all-of-us-as-bodies-are-in-the-active-position-of-figuring-out-how-to/)

[Judith Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-butler/)

> [Because I didn't have much money, I bought a small shop that fit my budget. The previous six owners had closed their business in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/do-won-chang/because-i-didn-t-have-much-money-i-bought-a-small-shop-that-fit-my/)

[Do Won Chang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/do-won-chang/)

> [To me that's what Jobs was about. He said at the end of the movie, 'When you realize that the world was created by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-michael-stern/to-me-that-s-what-jobs-was-about-he-said-at-the-end-of-the-movie-when/)

[Joshua Michael Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-michael-stern/)

> [The idea would be in my mind - and I know it sounds strange - is that the most important advances in medicine would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-soon-shiong/the-idea-would-be-in-my-mind-and-i-know-it-sounds-strange-is-that-the/)

[Patrick Soon-Shiong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-soon-shiong/)

> [That's a part of success: figuring out what success means to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elvis-mitchell/that-s-a-part-of-success-figuring-out-what-success-means-to-you/)

[Elvis Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elvis-mitchell/)

> [For me the trickiest thing is figuring out the spin and loft.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xander-schauffele/for-me-the-trickiest-thing-is-figuring-out-the-spin-and-loft/)

[Xander Schauffele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xander-schauffele/)

> [I am private because I'm still figuring things out. I'm young! I'm making it up as I go!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-williams/i-am-private-because-i-m-still-figuring-things-out-i-m-young-i-m/)

[Allison Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-williams/)

> [More attention and thought goes into naming a character in 'Call Of Duty' than all the work that can go into certain movies. Blood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-gaghan/more-attention-and-thought-goes-into-naming-a-character-in-call-of/)

[Stephen Gaghan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-gaghan/)

> [The first sort of big present I remember getting from Santa Claus was quite a small telescope that I remember going into our backyard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chelsea-clinton/the-first-sort-of-big-present-i-remember-getting-from-santa-claus-was/)

[Chelsea Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chelsea-clinton/)

> [Time management is probably the biggest thing I've had to learn to deal with being on the PGA Tour, whether it be media or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rickie-fowler/time-management-is-probably-the-biggest-thing-i-ve-had-to-learn-to/)

[Rickie Fowler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rickie-fowler/)

> [What's the fun in approaching something closed-minded? I'm very specific; if dialogue is too on-the-nose, or there's a lot of telling and not showing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-rothhaar/what-s-the-fun-in-approaching-something-closed-minded-i-m-very/)

[Will Rothhaar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-rothhaar/)

> [“I don't know for sure where I'm going to end up. But I know who I love. And I'm figuring out that might be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-kacvinsky/i-don-t-know-for-sure-where-i-m-going-to-end-up-but-i-know-who-i-love/)

[Katie Kacvinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-kacvinsky/)

> [I've just grown up a lot and started to encounter some of the big decisions of life in terms of what career I wanted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-norris/i-ve-just-grown-up-a-lot-and-started-to-encounter-some-of-the-big/)

[Lee Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-norris/)

> [It's strange to play outdoors, especially in the daytime. But we're figuring it out. The rules are different for festival shows - how you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-dost/it-s-strange-to-play-outdoors-especially-in-the-daytime-but-we-re/)

[Andrew Dost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-dost/)

## More by Mark Salzman

> [“This book," he began, "is very, very unsuitable." He paused, then went on. "In fact, in my whole life, I have never read or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-salzman/this-book-he-began-is-very-very-unsuitable-he-paused-then-went-on-in/)

[Mark Salzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-salzman/)

> [“She knew that it was better to have a dream and pay a price for it than to be lukewarm. - regarding St. Teresa…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-salzman/she-knew-that-it-was-better-to-have-a-dream-and-pay-a-price-for-it/)

[Mark Salzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-salzman/)

> [“She fell upward into brilliance, where all suffering was released.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-salzman/she-fell-upward-into-brilliance-where-all-suffering-was-released/)

[Mark Salzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-salzman/)

> [If I serve you in hopes of Paradise, deny me Paradise.If I serve thee in fear of hell, condemn me to hell.But if I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-salzman/if-i-serve-you-in-hopes-of-paradise-deny-me-paradise-if-i-serve-thee/)

[Mark Salzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-salzman/)

> [When one heart moves the whole web trembles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-salzman/when-one-heart-moves-the-whole-web-trembles/)

[Mark Salzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-salzman/)

> [What if I have it all upside down? What if I'm the one who knows nothing of God, and the people in the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-salzman/what-if-i-have-it-all-upside-down-what-if-i-m-the-one-who-knows/)

[Mark Salzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-salzman/)

> [“My writing is how I maintain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-salzman/my-writing-is-how-i-maintain/)

[Mark Salzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-salzman/)

> [“I don't like being talked into things by ungraceful people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-salzman/i-don-t-like-being-talked-into-things-by-ungraceful-people/)

[Mark Salzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-salzman/)

> [The nurse pointed out that identical twins were already clones in a sense, and Mother Emmanuel suggested that the soul to worry about belonged…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-salzman/the-nurse-pointed-out-that-identical-twins-were-already-clones-in-a/)

[Mark Salzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-salzman/)

> [Every moment a beginning. Every moment an end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-salzman/every-moment-a-beginning-every-moment-an-end/)

[Mark Salzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-salzman/)

> [“In the fire of his embrace, all that was her ceased to exist. Only what was God remained. I am. The cloisterbell, the voice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-salzman/in-the-fire-of-his-embrace-all-that-was-her-ceased-to-exist-only-what/)

[Mark Salzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-salzman/)

> [Am I really a person who lives by faith? God can surely tell the difference between someone who walks in darkness and someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-salzman/am-i-really-a-person-who-lives-by-faith-god-can-surely-tell-the/)

[Mark Salzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-salzman/)

> [“suffering borne by two is nearly joy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-salzman/suffering-borne-by-two-is-nearly-joy/)

[Mark Salzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-salzman/)

> [“In the beginning we all feel a bit like imposters in our capes and veils and being called 'sister'. But don't worry about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-salzman/in-the-beginning-we-all-feel-a-bit-like-imposters-in-our-capes-and/)

[Mark Salzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-salzman/)

> [“We hang suspended in His love. When one heart moves the whole web trembles.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-salzman/we-hang-suspended-in-his-love-when-one-heart-moves-the-whole-web/)

[Mark Salzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-salzman/)

[Explore all 18 Mark Salzman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-salzman/)

## More Accidents quotes

> [Almost all accidents take place because of human distraction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-thrun/almost-all-accidents-take-place-because-of-human-distraction/)

[Sebastian Thrun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-thrun/)

> [It was no accident, no coincidence, that the seasons came round and round year after year. It was the Lord speaking to us all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francine-rivers/it-was-no-accident-no-coincidence-that-the-seasons-came-round-and/)

[Francine Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francine-rivers/)

> [No, I think most astronauts recognize that the space shuttle program is very high-risk, and are prepared for accidents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-ride/no-i-think-most-astronauts-recognize-that-the-space-shuttle-program/)

[Sally Ride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-ride/)

> [In presenting a mathematical argument the great thing is to give the educated reader the chance to catch on at once to the momentary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edensor-littlewood/in-presenting-a-mathematical-argument-the-great-thing-is-to-give-the/)

[John Edensor Littlewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edensor-littlewood/)

> [The only way to have a funeral is to invite everyone who ever knew the person and just wait for the accident to happen-somebody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/the-only-way-to-have-a-funeral-is-to-invite-everyone-who-ever-knew/)

[Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/)

> [Good films are not made by accident, nor is good photography. You can have good things happen, on occasion, by accident that can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-willis/good-films-are-not-made-by-accident-nor-is-good-photography-you-can/)

[Gordon Willis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-willis/)

> [By education I am an Englishman, by views an internationalist, by culture a Muslim and a Hindu only by accident of birth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jawaharlal-nehru/by-education-i-am-an-englishman-by-views-an-internationalist-by/)

[Jawaharlal Nehru](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jawaharlal-nehru/)

> [I made out with a homeless guy by accident. I had no idea -- he was really tan, he had no shoes on. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-schumer/i-made-out-with-a-homeless-guy-by-accident-i-had-no-idea-he-was/)

[Amy Schumer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-schumer/)

> [Naturally I feel no shame in writing these things because of the time which separates the moment when they are written--when only I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-ernaux/naturally-i-feel-no-shame-in-writing-these-things-because-of-the-time/)

[Annie Ernaux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-ernaux/)

> [In a city where you walk around, it's impossible to plan your day and your life as accidents will happen, you'll overhear things, bump…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-schwartzman/in-a-city-where-you-walk-around-it-s-impossible-to-plan-your-day-and/)

[Jason Schwartzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-schwartzman/)

> [I don't think it's by accident that I was first attracted to translating two French women poets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-hacker/i-don-t-think-it-s-by-accident-that-i-was-first-attracted-to/)

[Marilyn Hacker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-hacker/)

> [Despite my mentors advice that I would never go to heaven fishing with a weighted nymph and a float, I took it up. (As…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-bishop/despite-my-mentors-advice-that-i-would-never-go-to-heaven-fishing/)

[Tony Bishop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-bishop/)

> [Dont stand outside in a lightning shower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/padraig/dont-stand-outside-in-a-lightning-shower/)

[Padraig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/padraig/)

> [In the eyes of those lovers of perfection, a work is never finished a word that for them has no sense but abandoned; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-valery/in-the-eyes-of-those-lovers-of-perfection-a-work-is-never-finished-a/)

[Paul Valery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-valery/)

> [My musical career was an accident.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sade-adu/my-musical-career-was-an-accident/)

[Sade Adu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sade-adu/)

[Browse all 1,971 Accidents quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accidents/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "If you do all that work of figuring out exactly how writing is done, then it's available to you at anytime, and you can build on it. It's like the difference between shooting one hoop and having it go in by accident and saying later, 'I shot a basket,' - and practicing so much you can do it whenever you want.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Mark Salzman"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-salzman/if-you-do-all-that-work-of-figuring-out-exactly-how-writing-is-done/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Accidents"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-salzman/if-you-do-all-that-work-of-figuring-out-exactly-how-writing-is-done/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acd/mark-salzman-29922_accidents_if-you-do-all-that-work-of-figuring-out_780840.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acd/mark-salzman-29922_accidents_if-you-do-all-that-work-of-figuring-out_780840.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acd/mark-salzman-29922_accidents_if-you-do-all-that-work-of-figuring-out_780840.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“If you do all that work of figuring out exactly how writing is done, then it's available to you at anytime…” — Mark Salzman",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Mark Salzman",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-salzman/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "If you do all that work...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-salzman/if-you-do-all-that-work-of-figuring-out-exactly-how-writing-is-done/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-salzman/if-you-do-all-that-work-of-figuring-out-exactly-how-writing-is-done/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
