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Bits Quote by Winifred Holtby

“The only difficulty is to know what bits to choose and what to leave out. Novel-writing is not creation, it is selection.” quote by Winifred Holtby
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“The only difficulty is to know what bits to choose and what to leave out. Novel-writing is not creation, it is selection.”

Winifred Holtby

About This Quote

Source Novel: The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton, 1905

Writing is about deciding which details to include and which to omit, shaping a story through selection rather than raw invention.

In simple terms: Writing is selecting key details, not just creating everything.

Key Takeaway

Focus on essential elements.

Themes

writing editing creativity

Mood

reflective analytical

Type

literary instructional

When to use this quote

  • drafting a novel
  • editing a manuscript
  • story planning
  • academic essay writing

Key Concepts

selection narrative focus

Questions to Reflect On

  • Which parts of your work truly serve its purpose?
  • How do you balance detail with clarity?
A Different Perspective

Over‑editing can strip a work of its unique voice.

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