--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The rewrites are a struggle right now…" description: "\"The rewrites are a struggle right now. Sometimes I wish writing a book could just be easy for me at last. But when I think about it practically, I am g..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de9/shannon-hale-827_attempting_the-rewrites-are-a-struggle-right-now-so_1304982.png" --- # The rewrites are a struggle right now. Sometimes I wish… ![“The rewrites are a struggle right now. Sometimes I wish writing a book could just be easy for me at last. But when I think about it practically, I am glad it's a struggle. I am (as usual) attempting to write a book that's too hard for me. I'm telling a story I'm not smart enough to tell. The risk…” quote by Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de9/shannon-hale-827_attempting_the-rewrites-are-a-struggle-right-now-so_1304982.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de9/shannon-hale-827_attempting_the-rewrites-are-a-struggle-right-now-so_1304982.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de9/shannon-hale-827_attempting_the-rewrites-are-a-struggle-right-now-so_1304982.png) > “The rewrites are a struggle right now. Sometimes I wish writing a book could just be easy for me at last. But when I think about it practically, I am glad it's a struggle. I am (as usual) attempting to write a book that's too hard for me. I'm telling a story I'm not smart enough to tell. The risk of failure is huge. But I prefer it this way. I'm forced to learn, forced to smarten myself up, forced to wrestle. And if it works, then I'll have written something that is better than I am.” [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Embracing difficulty in creative work fuels growth; struggle is a catalyst for learning and producing higher‑quality results. **In simple terms:** Struggle in writing pushes you to improve and create better work. Key Takeaway Welcome challenges as learning opportunities. Themes creativity growth perseverance Mood determined inspired Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - writing projects - artistic pursuits - skill acquisition - personal development Key Concepts learning skill development risk taking Questions to Reflect On - What strategies keep you motivated during tough creative phases? - How do you measure progress amid struggle? A Different Perspective Excessive struggle may lead to burnout if not balanced with rest. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Risk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/risk/) [Smart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smart/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Struggle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/struggle/) [Telling A Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/telling-a-story/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Writing a book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-a-book/) ## Related quotes > [I began attempting to write for children under the mistaken assumption that writing for children was easy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-hobb/i-began-attempting-to-write-for-children-under-the-mistaken/) [Robin Hobb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-hobb/) > [Movies are definitely more fun because there are so many different seasons in a movie. It is exciting to be drafting together. Writing a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kendrick/movies-are-definitely-more-fun-because-there-are-so-many-different/) [Stephen Kendrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kendrick/) > [While in the middle of writing a book, I have a hard time reading other books for pleasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-j-dubner/while-in-the-middle-of-writing-a-book-i-have-a-hard-time-reading/) [Stephen J. Dubner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-j-dubner/) > [I was attempting to write the story of my life. It wasn't so much about plot. It was much more about character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/i-was-attempting-to-write-the-story-of-my-life-it-wasn-t-so-much/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [At thirty-five, having spent over twenty years running varied businesses for my family, I decided to sit down and write my first novel. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashwin-sanghi/at-thirty-five-having-spent-over-twenty-years-running-varied/) [Ashwin Sanghi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashwin-sanghi/) > [“A good book is hard to read, on account of how often it makes you stop and think.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-brady/a-good-book-is-hard-to-read-on-account-of-how-often-it-makes-you-stop/) [Chris Brady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-brady/) > [I surrendered all my privacy to write this book. It was so hard and so painful. I went through so much crazy stuff. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/park-yeon-mi/i-surrendered-all-my-privacy-to-write-this-book-it-was-so-hard-and-so/) [Park Yeon-mi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/park-yeon-mi/) > [If you think reading a book is hard, you should try writing one. Because it's even harder. It's still not as hard as writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-wolpaw/if-you-think-reading-a-book-is-hard-you-should-try-writing-one/) Erik Wolpaw > [The two things I enjoy the most about writing are the first page of a book and the last. What's in between is very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-gibson/the-two-things-i-enjoy-the-most-about-writing-are-the-first-page-of-a/) [Rachel Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-gibson/) > [It's easy to get published once you have written a really good book and the hard part, 99 percent of what you need to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/it-s-easy-to-get-published-once-you-have-written-a-really-good-book/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [“After I read a good book I have a hard time coping with reality.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/after-i-read-a-good-book-i-have-a-hard-time-coping-with-reality/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A big book is a hard thing to manage - I find the computer makes it easier to keep it in order, and to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-grenville/a-big-book-is-a-hard-thing-to-manage-i-find-the-computer-makes-it/) [Kate Grenville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-grenville/) > [It is as easy to dream a book as it is hard to write one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/it-is-as-easy-to-dream-a-book-as-it-is-hard-to-write-one/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [“Turning a manuscript into a book is easy; getting the manuscript ready to become a book is hard.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-p-fuchs/turning-a-manuscript-into-a-book-is-easy-getting-the-manuscript-ready/) A.P. Fuchs > [“Life's book is hard to understand; Why couldst thou not remain at school?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-hanson-towne/life-s-book-is-hard-to-understand-why-couldst-thou-not-remain-at/) [Charles Hanson Towne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-hanson-towne/) ## More by Shannon Hale > [“Well, write me into the list of Those Who Don’t Mind a Bit,” said Cupid, eyeing his perfectly toned arms and chest. “My, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/well-write-me-into-the-list-of-those-who-don-t-mind-a-bit-said-cupid/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [“Sometimes instinct isn't fancy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/sometimes-instinct-isn-t-fancy/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [Enna leaned back her head and laughed at the sky. 'Of course he wasn't! Who could kill Razo?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/enna-leaned-back-her-head-and-laughed-at-the-sky-of-course-he-wasn-t/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [“Um… I guess that’s that,” said Cerise. “That?” said Maddie. “That is never that. This is that. Or else that is this. And this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/um-i-guess-that-s-that-said-cerise-that-said-maddie-that-is-never/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [The book smelled dusty and old but also carried a sweet tang, a hint of something inviting. She opened to the first page and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/the-book-smelled-dusty-and-old-but-also-carried-a-sweet-tang-a-hint/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [Geric," she called. He turned back around. "What kind of flowers were they?" "I don't rightly know," he said. He made faltering gestures with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/geric-she-called-he-turned-back-around-what-kind-of-flowers-were-they/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [How I keep trying to force our story into a fairy tale, but from the beginning, it's been more like a nursery rhyme." "Bizarre…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/how-i-keep-trying-to-force-our-story-into-a-fairy-tale-but-from-the/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [“He wildly combed his hair with his fingers. “I can’t bear to be out there with you right now, all those indifferent people watching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/he-wildly-combed-his-hair-with-his-fingers-i-can-t-bear-to-be-out/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [But, how do you know if an ending is truly good for the characters unless you've traveled with them through every page?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/but-how-do-you-know-if-an-ending-is-truly-good-for-the-characters/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [“Sometimes it seems my identity’s a matter of opinion”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/sometimes-it-seems-my-identity-s-a-matter-of-opinion/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [The snow was too light to stay, the ground too warm to keep it. And the strange spring snow fell only in that golden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/the-snow-was-too-light-to-stay-the-ground-too-warm-to-keep-it-and-the/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [Even the jerks earn some of our affection. We can be glad they're gone and yet still mourn the good parts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/even-the-jerks-earn-some-of-our-affection-we-can-be-glad-they-re-gone/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [Smell is the voice of the soul...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/smell-is-the-voice-of-the-soul/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [“It was my jewelry!” Briar shouted after his father because he’d forgotten to ask what was stolen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/it-was-my-jewelry-briar-shouted-after-his-father-because-he-d/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [Oh, but I like my geese. Like cats, they can't be told what to do, and like dogs, they're loyal, and like people, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/oh-but-i-like-my-geese-like-cats-they-can-t-be-told-what-to-do-and/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) [Explore all 358 Shannon Hale quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) ## More Attempting quotes > [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [In terms of style, too, I think I've been working with a somewhat limited -- although intentionally limited -- set of tools. So I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-link/in-terms-of-style-too-i-think-i-ve-been-working-with-a-somewhat/) [Kelly Link](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-link/) > [Lobbying' is the activity of attempting to influence legislation by privately influencing the legislators. It is the result and creation of a mixed economy-of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/lobbying-is-the-activity-of-attempting-to-influence-legislation-by/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [To attempt to be religious without practicing a specific religion is as possible as attempting to speak without a specific language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-santayana/to-attempt-to-be-religious-without-practicing-a-specific-religion-is/) [George Santayana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-santayana/) > [Ewan McGregor stars as Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi, again doing a fine Alec Guinness impersonation but otherwise seeming lost and alone in the galaxy as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-zacharek/ewan-mcgregor-stars-as-jedi-obi-wan-kenobi-again-doing-a-fine-alec/) [Stephanie Zacharek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-zacharek/) > [Daphne," he said with controlled gentleness, "what is wrong?" She sat down opposite him and placed a hand on his cheek. "I'm so insensitive,"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-quinn/daphne-he-said-with-controlled-gentleness-what-is-wrong-she-sat-down/) [Julia Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-quinn/) > [I'm a dreamer and continue to dream of what can and will be, "Expecting great things from God, Attempting great things for God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-carey/i-m-a-dreamer-and-continue-to-dream-of-what-can-and-will-be-expecting/) [William Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-carey/) > [I swear you’re a woman. (Devyn) I would respond to that, but I don’t want to distract you while you’re attempting to drive and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/i-swear-you-re-a-woman-devyn-i-would-respond-to-that-but-i-don-t-want/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [To approach a city, or even a city neighborhood, as if it were a larger architectural problem, capable of being given order by converting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-jacobs/to-approach-a-city-or-even-a-city-neighborhood-as-if-it-were-a-larger/) [Jane Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-jacobs/) > [I have told you of the Spaniard who always put on his spectacles when about to eat cherries, that they might look bigger and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-southey/i-have-told-you-of-the-spaniard-who-always-put-on-his-spectacles-when/) [Robert Southey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-southey/) > [The danger to which the success of revolutions is most exposed, is that of attempting them before the principles on which they proceed, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/the-danger-to-which-the-success-of-revolutions-is-most-exposed-is/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [Politics resemble religion; attempting to divest either of ceremony is the most certain mode of bringing either into contempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/politics-resemble-religion-attempting-to-divest-either-of-ceremony-is/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [“failure is not an outcome, but involves a lack of trying—not stretching yourself far enough out of your comfort zone and attempting to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-wiseman/failure-is-not-an-outcome-but-involves-a-lack-of-trying-not/) [Liz Wiseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-wiseman/) > [It is strange to reflect how much energy is thrown away in attempting to know the unknowable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-barber-lightfoot/it-is-strange-to-reflect-how-much-energy-is-thrown-away-in-attempting/) [Joseph Barber Lightfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-barber-lightfoot/) > [I am not attempting to preserve culture, or record actual events or stories. Instead I bow my head in gratitude to those storytellers who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-briggs/i-am-not-attempting-to-preserve-culture-or-record-actual-events-or/) [Patricia Briggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-briggs/) Browse all 513 Attempting quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The rewrites are a struggle right now. Sometimes I wish writing a book could just be easy for me at last. But when I think about it practically, I am glad it's a struggle. I am (as usual) attempting to write a book that's too hard for me. I'm telling a story I'm not smart enough to tell. The risk of failure is huge. But I prefer it this way. I'm forced to learn, forced to smarten myself up, forced to wrestle. And if it works, then I'll have written something that is better than I am.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Shannon Hale" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/the-rewrites-are-a-struggle-right-now-sometimes-i-wish-writing-a-book/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Attempting" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/the-rewrites-are-a-struggle-right-now-sometimes-i-wish-writing-a-book/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de9/shannon-hale-827_attempting_the-rewrites-are-a-struggle-right-now-so_1304982.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de9/shannon-hale-827_attempting_the-rewrites-are-a-struggle-right-now-so_1304982.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de9/shannon-hale-827_attempting_the-rewrites-are-a-struggle-right-now-so_1304982.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The rewrites are a struggle right now. Sometimes I wish writing a book could just be easy for me at last…” — Shannon Hale", "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": "Shannon Hale", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The rewrites are a struggle right...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/the-rewrites-are-a-struggle-right-now-sometimes-i-wish-writing-a-book/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/the-rewrites-are-a-struggle-right-now-sometimes-i-wish-writing-a-book/#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 } } ] } ```