Bottom line Quote by Stephen King
““You'd think that the ability to write lucid prose would be the bottom line for any publishing novelist, but it is not so... You would expect that proofreaders and copy editors would pick this sort of stuff up even if the writers of such embarrassing English do not, but many of them seem as illiterate as the writers they are trying to bail out.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Stephen King on Writing, 2015
Good writing requires more than just clear prose; editing and proofreading are essential to catch errors that writers miss.
In simple terms: Clear prose isn’t enough; editing matters.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize thorough editing.
Themes
writing
editing
literacy
communication
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
advice
observational
When to use this quote
- novel drafting
- self‑editing
- publisher review
- proofreading
- copyediting
Key Concepts
editing process
author responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How can writers improve their own self‑editing?
- What role should editors play in maintaining standards?
A Different Perspective
Even with editors, some errors slip through due to time pressure or skill gaps.
