Kill Quote by William Faulkner
““Every writer must learn to kill his little darlings.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Paris Review, 1960
Writers should be willing to cut unnecessary or weak parts of their work to improve overall quality.
In simple terms: Remove unnecessary parts to strengthen writing.
Key Takeaway
Edit ruthlessly.
Themes
writing
creativity
editing
literature
Mood
inspirational
practical
Type
advice
creative
When to use this quote
- novel drafting
- short story polishing
- scriptwriting
Key Concepts
self‑criticism
revision
narrative focus
Questions to Reflect On
- When does cutting improve a piece?
- How to balance personal attachment with quality?
A Different Perspective
Some writers fear losing their voice.
