--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Some writers find that they don't know…" description: "\"Some writers find that they don't know their themes until they've finished the first draft (I am one). They then rewrite with an eye toward balancing o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/71a/nancy-kress-28200_add_some-writers-find-that-they-don-t-know-t_265623.jpg" --- # Some writers find that they don't know their themes until… ![“Some writers find that they don't know their themes until they've finished the first draft (I am one). They then rewrite with an eye toward balancing on that tightrope: not too contrived, not too rambling; does what I'm saying about the world below me actually add up to anything? Other writers pay…” quote by Nancy Kress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/71a/nancy-kress-28200_add_some-writers-find-that-they-don-t-know-t_265623.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/71a/nancy-kress-28200_add_some-writers-find-that-they-don-t-know-t_265623.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/71a/nancy-kress-28200_add_some-writers-find-that-they-don-t-know-t_265623.jpg) > “Some writers find that they don't know their themes until they've finished the first draft (I am one). They then rewrite with an eye toward balancing on that tightrope: not too contrived, not too rambling; does what I'm saying about the world below me actually add up to anything? Other writers pay attention to these things as they write the first draft. Either way, an awareness of the macro and micro levels of theme can provide one more tool for thinking about what you should write, and how.” [Nancy Kress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-kress/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writers often discover their themes only after drafting; revising with awareness of macro and micro levels refines purpose and coherence. **In simple terms:** Themes emerge after drafting; revising clarifies them. Key Takeaway Revise with focus on theme balance. Themes writing creativity structure Mood motivational analytical Type instructional inspirational When to use this quote - novel writing - screenplay development - creative workshops Key Concepts thematic development drafting process Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance theme with narrative flow? - When does revision become over‑editing? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on theme can stifle spontaneity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Add](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/add/) [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Awareness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awareness/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Draft Rewrite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/draft-rewrite-2609034/) [Eye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eye/) [Finished](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finished/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Levels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/levels/) [Macro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/macro/) [Pay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pay/) [Pay attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pay-attention/) [Rambling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rambling/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Theme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theme/) [Things Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-write/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Thinking Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking-write-432875/) [Tools](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tools/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/write/) [Write Draft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/write-draft-335521/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Usually, the way I write is to sit down at a typewriter after that year or so of what passes for thinking, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-albee/usually-the-way-i-write-is-to-sit-down-at-a-typewriter-after-that/) [Edward Albee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-albee/) > [Life is a first draft... with NO rewrite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/life-is-a-first-draft-with-no-rewrite/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [It's just like an idea, like a chorus, and then we just jam on it - it happens in loads of different ways. 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