Finished Quote by Yiyun Li
“I always tell my students to go back after a hundred pages and rewrite from the beginning. It's really harder if you've already finished four hundred pages and realize the first hundred aren't working.”
About This Quote
Iterative revision reveals early flaws that become harder to fix later, so revisiting work early saves effort and improves quality.
In simple terms: Early revisions prevent costly later rewrites.
Key Takeaway
Revise early, avoid entrenched errors.
Themes
process
learning
writing
efficiency
growth
Mood
reflective
determined
Type
advice
instruction
When to use this quote
- drafting a novel
- editing a research paper
- developing a software prototype
- preparing a presentation
Key Concepts
revision
self‑assessment
progressive improvement
Practical Applications
- Teaching writing workshops
- Designing iterative design cycles
Questions to Reflect On
- How does early feedback change your creative process?
- What habits help you catch problems early?
