--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Writing is so hard… The first draft…" description: "\"Writing is so hard… The first draft writing is so hard that sometimes in the beginning, before the work itself takes over, carrying you on its flood, y..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a30/sophy-burnham-23134_chapters_writing-is-so-hard-the-first-draft-writi_3161637.jpg" --- # Writing is so hard… The first draft writing is so hard… ![“Writing is so hard… The first draft writing is so hard that sometimes in the beginning, before the work itself takes over, carrying you on its flood, you must give yourself rewards. "When I write this chapter, I can call my boyfriend." "When I finish one page more, I can get an ice cream cone."…” quote by Sophy Burnham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a30/sophy-burnham-23134_chapters_writing-is-so-hard-the-first-draft-writi_3161637.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a30/sophy-burnham-23134_chapters_writing-is-so-hard-the-first-draft-writi_3161637.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a30/sophy-burnham-23134_chapters_writing-is-so-hard-the-first-draft-writi_3161637.jpg) > “Writing is so hard… The first draft writing is so hard that sometimes in the beginning, before the work itself takes over, carrying you on its flood, you must give yourself rewards. "When I write this chapter, I can call my boyfriend." "When I finish one page more, I can get an ice cream cone." "If I write this section, I'll find a check in the mail."” [Sophy Burnham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophy-burnham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage highlights using self‑rewards to motivate the difficult early stages of writing, turning work into a series of small, achievable incentives. **In simple terms:** Reward yourself to keep writing when it feels hard. Key Takeaway Use tiny incentives to push through early writing blocks. Themes motivation self‑discipline writing Mood determined hopeful Type practical inspirational When to use this quote - drafting a novel - daily journaling - academic paper - creative projects Key Concepts behavioral psychology goal setting Questions to Reflect On - Which small reward truly fuels your writing? - How can you balance external incentives with internal drive? A Different Perspective Rewards can become distractions if overused, reducing intrinsic motivation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chapters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chapters/) [Checks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/checks/) [Cones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cones/) [Cream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cream/) [Draft Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/draft-writing-1119609/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Flood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flood/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Hard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard/) [I can](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-can/) [Ice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ice/) [Ice cream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ice-cream/) [Ice cream cones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ice-cream-cones/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Mail](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mail/) [My boyfriend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-boyfriend/) [Pages](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pages/) [Rewards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rewards/) [Sections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sections/) [Sometimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sometimes/) [Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/write/) [Write Chapter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/write-chapter-502231/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Writing Hard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-hard/) ## Related quotes > [You want a drumstick? 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