Draft Quote by Stephen King
“Formula: Second Draft = First Draft minus 10%.”
About This Quote
Source Book: On Writing, Stephen King, 2000
A draft should be trimmed by roughly ten percent to improve clarity and concision.
In simple terms: Cut about ten percent of a draft for better writing.
Key Takeaway
Edit ruthlessly to tighten prose.
Themes
writing
editing
productivity
Mood
practical
instructive
Type
advice
guideline
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- academic papers
- business reports
Key Concepts
Revision
conciseness
draft reduction
Questions to Reflect On
- When does cutting harm the message?
- How to decide which parts to keep?
A Different Perspective
Some content may be essential despite length; a flat ten‑percent rule can be too rigid.
