--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The way you get better is putting words…" description: "\"The way you get better is putting words on the page and getting them behind you.\" — Ridley Pearson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/14e/ridley-pearson-13502_behind-you_the-way-you-get-better-is-putting-words_1751643.png" --- # The way you get better is putting words on the page and… ![“The way you get better is putting words on the page and getting them behind you.” quote by Ridley Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/14e/ridley-pearson-13502_behind-you_the-way-you-get-better-is-putting-words_1751643.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/14e/ridley-pearson-13502_behind-you_the-way-you-get-better-is-putting-words_1751643.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/14e/ridley-pearson-13502_behind-you_the-way-you-get-better-is-putting-words_1751643.png) > “The way you get better is putting words on the page and getting them behind you.” [Ridley Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ridley-pearson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Improvement comes from externalizing thoughts; writing solidifies ideas and frees mental space. **In simple terms:** Writing down thoughts helps you improve. Key Takeaway Write, then reflect, then act. Themes creativity self‑improvement writing clarity Mood focused inspired productive Type practical motivational When to use this quote - journal entries - drafting stories - brainstorm sessions - project planning Key Concepts cognitive psychology habit formation productivity Questions to Reflect On - What ideas could you solidify by writing? - How does writing change your perspective? A Different Perspective Writing may not capture all nuances; revision needed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Behind you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behind-you/) [Behinds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behinds/) [Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better/) [Better Putting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-putting-1197246/) [Get better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/get-better/) [Page Getting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/page-getting-1609894/) [Pages](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pages/) [Putting Words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/putting-words/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Words Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words-page-350905/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) ## Related quotes > [As a writer, putting words on the page is how I pay attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/as-a-writer-putting-words-on-the-page-is-how-i-pay-attention/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [I want to improve and learn and get better. To do that, I have to keep putting in good performances and help my team-mates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-henderson/i-want-to-improve-and-learn-and-get-better-to-do-that-i-have-to-keep/) [Jordan Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-henderson/) > [Work. Write. Read. Keep putting words on the page, because that's the only way you'll get better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-j-watson/work-write-read-keep-putting-words-on-the-page-because-that-s-the/) [S.J. Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-j-watson/) > [“What the joys of music were to others, words on a page were to him.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-salter/what-the-joys-of-music-were-to-others-words-on-a-page-were-to-him/) [James Salter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-salter/) > [Sometimes you just need words on a page to memorize.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-middleditch/sometimes-you-just-need-words-on-a-page-to-memorize/) [Thomas Middleditch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-middleditch/) > [“... that a letter isn't always just a letter. Words on page can drench the soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-brockmole/that-a-letter-isn-t-always-just-a-letter-words-on-page-can-drench-the/) [Jessica Brockmole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-brockmole/) > [There is a direct parallel in the way that we speak, with natural variations of pitch and volume that give full meaning to our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-snell/there-is-a-direct-parallel-in-the-way-that-we-speak-with-natural/) [Howard Snell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-snell/) > [Occasionally it does hit me, the words on a page. And I still love doing that, as I have for the last 60 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/occasionally-it-does-hit-me-the-words-on-a-page-and-i-still-love/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [“Get rid of half the words on each page, then get rid of half of what’s left.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-krug/get-rid-of-half-the-words-on-each-page-then-get-rid-of-half-of-what-s/) [Steve Krug](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-krug/) > [“Sometimes I think that maybe we are just stories. Like we may as well just be words on a page, because we're only what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-lynn-anderson/sometimes-i-think-that-maybe-we-are-just-stories-like-we-may-as-well-2/) [Jodi Lynn Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-lynn-anderson/) > [Baby, if you were words on a page, you'd be what they call FINE PRINT!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paperboi/baby-if-you-were-words-on-a-page-you-d-be-what-they-call-fine-print/) [Paperboi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paperboi/) > [Is there anything in the world better than words on the page? Magic signs, the voices of the dead, building blocks to make wonderful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornelia-funke/is-there-anything-in-the-world-better-than-words-on-the-page-magic/) [Cornelia Funke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornelia-funke/) > [“The words on the page are only clues to the life boiling underneath them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zelda-fitchandler/the-words-on-the-page-are-only-clues-to-the-life-boiling-underneath/) [Zelda Fitchandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zelda-fitchandler/) > [Words on the page are never prisoners of the page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-hartnett/words-on-the-page-are-never-prisoners-of-the-page/) [Sonya Hartnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-hartnett/) > [“When I read, the words on the page replace the voice in my head and I cease, for a little while, to be me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gordon/when-i-read-the-words-on-the-page-replace-the-voice-in-my-head-and-i/) [David Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gordon/) ## More by Ridley Pearson > [The boys had asked why, if it acted slowly, was it called quicksand. The Mollusks had replied that, as far as they were concerned,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ridley-pearson/the-boys-had-asked-why-if-it-acted-slowly-was-it-called-quicksand-the/) [Ridley Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ridley-pearson/) > [What is that in his hand?" "A cleaver. As in-" "Butcher's knife." "You got it." "I hope not." "He does not look happy." "Are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ridley-pearson/what-is-that-in-his-hand-a-cleaver-as-in-butcher-s-knife-you-got-it-i/) [Ridley Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ridley-pearson/) > [“disney in shadows”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ridley-pearson/disney-in-shadows/) [Ridley Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ridley-pearson/) > [Being right wasn't nearly as important as doing right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ridley-pearson/being-right-wasn-t-nearly-as-important-as-doing-right/) [Ridley Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ridley-pearson/) > [As a young boy, I read 'Cheaper by the Dozen' and immediately became neurotic about my use of time. It taxed me severely, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ridley-pearson/as-a-young-boy-i-read-cheaper-by-the-dozen-and-immediately-became/) [Ridley Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ridley-pearson/) > [For the first-time novelist you've got to get up at 5:30 in the morning and write until 7, make breakfast and go to work.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ridley-pearson/for-the-first-time-novelist-you-ve-got-to-get-up-at-5-30-in-the/) [Ridley Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ridley-pearson/) > [I've been running from, and toward, death all my life, more aware of it than a person should be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ridley-pearson/i-ve-been-running-from-and-toward-death-all-my-life-more-aware-of-it/) [Ridley Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ridley-pearson/) > [I'm still only half the writer I hope I will be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ridley-pearson/i-m-still-only-half-the-writer-i-hope-i-will-be/) [Ridley Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ridley-pearson/) > [“Nugget?" said Micah, offering a lump to Toby. "Thanks," said Toby. He took a bite and chewed thoughtfully. "I think maybe it is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ridley-pearson/nugget-said-micah-offering-a-lump-to-toby-thanks-said-toby-he-took-a/) [Ridley Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ridley-pearson/) > [I think every fiction writer, to a certain extent, is a schizophrenic and able to have two or three or five voices in his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ridley-pearson/i-think-every-fiction-writer-to-a-certain-extent-is-a-schizophrenic/) [Ridley Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ridley-pearson/) > [“The crowd groaned. "Nice job doofus!" Finn said.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ridley-pearson/the-crowd-groaned-nice-job-doofus-finn-said/) [Ridley Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ridley-pearson/) > [What do you care more about? The kids or your hair?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ridley-pearson/what-do-you-care-more-about-the-kids-or-your-hair/) [Ridley Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ridley-pearson/) > [So planning something big." "If this is the work of the Overtakers, we've never seen anything like it." "It is," a voice said behind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ridley-pearson/so-planning-something-big-if-this-is-the-work-of-the-overtakers-we-ve/) [Ridley Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ridley-pearson/) > [“The weirdest thing can squirrel an investigation Never speak ill of the dead, and never, ever, claim you've got a suspect until the court…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ridley-pearson/the-weirdest-thing-can-squirrel-an-investigation-never-speak-ill-of/) [Ridley Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ridley-pearson/) > [True love isn't reserved for weddings and ceremonies. It's from the heart. That's all it has to be. All it ever is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ridley-pearson/true-love-isn-t-reserved-for-weddings-and-ceremonies-it-s-from-the/) [Ridley Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ridley-pearson/) [Explore all 49 Ridley Pearson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ridley-pearson/) ## More Behind you quotes > [Strong families use the word "we" a lot, but "I" is never forgotten. Family members know they have the freedom to go off on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-brothers/strong-families-use-the-word-we-a-lot-but-i-is-never-forgotten-family/) [Joyce Brothers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-brothers/) > [For God is wholly present in all creation, in every corner, he is behind you and before you. Do you think he is sleeping…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/for-god-is-wholly-present-in-all-creation-in-every-corner-he-is/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) > [The worst thing that can happen is that the effect that they create behind you is bigger than the performance you're putting out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cary-hiroyuki-tagawa/the-worst-thing-that-can-happen-is-that-the-effect-that-they-create/) [Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cary-hiroyuki-tagawa/) > [I would rather speak the truth to ten men than blandishments and lying to a million. Try it, ye who think there is nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/i-would-rather-speak-the-truth-to-ten-men-than-blandishments-and/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Leave your yawns behind you and feel the tiny new breeze of life lighting up inside of you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-porchon-lynch/leave-your-yawns-behind-you-and-feel-the-tiny-new-breeze-of-life/) [Tao Porchon-Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-porchon-lynch/) > [Be sure that Christ is not behind you, but before, calling and drawing you on. This is the liberty, the beautiful liberty of Christ.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-bushnell/be-sure-that-christ-is-not-behind-you-but-before-calling-and-drawing/) [Horace Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-bushnell/) > [When you become angry, you enter a tunnel, leaving the light behind you; when you get calm, you exit the tunnel, finding the light…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/when-you-become-angry-you-enter-a-tunnel-leaving-the-light-behind-you/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [I wish you were that birch rising from the clump behind you, and I the gray oak alongside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-hall/i-wish-you-were-that-birch-rising-from-the-clump-behind-you-and-i-the/) [Donald Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-hall/) > [What has happened has happened and it is now behind you. Take the best of it all as you move positively forward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-marston/what-has-happened-has-happened-and-it-is-now-behind-you-take-the-best/) [Ralph Marston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-marston/) > [A cultivated style would be like a mask. Everybody knows it's a mask, and sooner or later you must show yourself -- or at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-anne-porter/a-cultivated-style-would-be-like-a-mask-everybody-knows-it-s-a-mask/) [Katherine Anne Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-anne-porter/) > [I understand the opposite side of the camera. I have a profound respect for that. I have worked with people who, when you hit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-gyllenhaal/i-understand-the-opposite-side-of-the-camera-i-have-a-profound/) [Jake Gyllenhaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-gyllenhaal/) > [Man, do not pride yourself on your superiority to the animals, for they are without sin, while you, with all your greatness, you defile…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/man-do-not-pride-yourself-on-your-superiority-to-the-animals-for-they/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The thing about 50 is that you've clearly reached a point where you have more of your life behind you than ahead of you,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/the-thing-about-50-is-that-you-ve-clearly-reached-a-point-where-you/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Inwardly you are God, outwardly you are a person. Instead of thinking you are just a person, that appearance, you can awake to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-harding/inwardly-you-are-god-outwardly-you-are-a-person-instead-of-thinking/) [Douglas Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-harding/) > [After all the planets and all the hosts you've left behind, you've finally found the place and the body you'd die for. I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephenie-meyer/after-all-the-planets-and-all-the-hosts-you-ve-left-behind-you-ve/) [Stephenie Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephenie-meyer/) [Browse all 320 Behind you quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behind-you/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The way you get better is putting words on the page and getting them behind you.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ridley Pearson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ridley-pearson/the-way-you-get-better-is-putting-words-on-the-page-and-getting-them/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Behind you" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ridley-pearson/the-way-you-get-better-is-putting-words-on-the-page-and-getting-them/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/14e/ridley-pearson-13502_behind-you_the-way-you-get-better-is-putting-words_1751643.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/14e/ridley-pearson-13502_behind-you_the-way-you-get-better-is-putting-words_1751643.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/14e/ridley-pearson-13502_behind-you_the-way-you-get-better-is-putting-words_1751643.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The way you get better is putting words on the page and getting them behind you.” — Ridley Pearson", "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": "Ridley Pearson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ridley-pearson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The way you get better is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ridley-pearson/the-way-you-get-better-is-putting-words-on-the-page-and-getting-them/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ridley-pearson/the-way-you-get-better-is-putting-words-on-the-page-and-getting-them/#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 } } ] } ```