Counting Quote by Richard North Patterson
“The manuscript you submit [should not] contain any flaws that you can identify - it is up to the writer to do the work, rather than counting on some stranger in Manhattan to do it for him.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Manuscript, Richard North Patterson, 1995
Writers must ensure their work is free of identifiable errors; they cannot rely on others to fix mistakes they could have caught themselves.
In simple terms: Check your work yourself, don’t depend on strangers.
Take responsibility for your own writing.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- academic writing
- novel drafting
- self‑editing
- peer review
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance self‑editing with seeking feedback?
- When is it appropriate to delegate proofreading?
It may be impossible to catch every flaw without external help.