Books Quote by Maya Angelou
“Easy reading is damn hard writing. But if it's right, it's easy. It's the other way round, too. If it's slovenly written, then it's hard to read. It doesn't give the reader what the careful writer can give the reader.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Maya Angelou, 1990s on writing craft
Good writing feels effortless to the reader, even though it requires careful, disciplined effort from the writer.
In simple terms: Clear writing is easy to read, hard to write.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize clarity and revision.
Themes
writing
clarity
craft
revision
Mood
reflective
instructive
Type
advice
literary
When to use this quote
- journalism
- novel writing
- editing
- teaching writing
Key Concepts
literary style
reader experience
author discipline
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you test if your prose feels effortless?
- What habits help you rewrite for clarity?
A Different Perspective
Even polished prose can still be dense if the writer neglects audience awareness.
