Adjustment Quote by Roy Blount, Jr
“Twiddle-twiddle away at my softly clicky keyboard for a while, making twiddly adjustments all along- and then print what I have twiddled. Glare at the printout and snarl and curse and scribble almost illegibly all over it with a ballpoint pen. Go back to the machine and enter the scribbles. Repeat this procedure until I hate the very meaning of every word I know.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Unknown (humorous writing)
The writer’s frustration with typing and printing leads to a cycle of correction, criticism, and self‑directed anger.
In simple terms: He gets angry at his own work and keeps revising.
Key Takeaway
Break the cycle of self‑criticism.
Themes
frustration
creativity
perfectionism
process
humor
Mood
irritated
playful
Type
humorous
reflective
When to use this quote
- drafting
- editing
- creative blocks
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
writing process
self‑critique
productivity
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you set realistic standards for drafts?
- What methods help you detach from immediate criticism?
A Different Perspective
Perfectionism can stall progress and increase stress.
