Draft Quote by Will Self
“Don’t look back until you’ve written an entire draft...”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Writing Process Discussion, 2015
One should avoid revisiting earlier drafts until a complete version is finished, to maintain creative momentum and avoid self‑censorship.
In simple terms: Finish a draft before editing earlier parts.
Complete drafts before revisiting earlier work.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- academic papers
- screenwriting
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this approach affect overall quality?
- What strategies help balance momentum and revision?
Risk of overlooking early errors.