Blind Quote by Walter Kirn
“At the beginning of a novel, a writer needs confidence, but after that what's required is persistence. These traits sound similar. They aren't. Confidence is what politicians, seducers and currency speculators have, but persistence is a quality found in termites. It's the blind drive to keep on working that persists after confidence breaks down.”
About This Quote
Source Article: “The Writer’s Toolkit” in The New Yorker, 2018
Confidence initiates action; persistence sustains it after confidence wanes.
In simple terms: Confidence starts projects; persistence finishes them.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate persistence beyond confidence.
Themes
writing
creativity
perseverance
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
literary
self‑help
When to use this quote
- novel drafts
- daily writing
- long‑term projects
- creative blocks
Key Concepts
psychology
habit formation
motivation
Questions to Reflect On
- When does persistence become counterproductive?
- How can you balance confidence and persistence?
A Different Perspective
Persistence can become blind without strategic direction.
