Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Wasting a reader's time is considered a moral failing in writing.
In plain terms
Authors should not waste the time of people reading their work.
What can you take from it?
Respect for the audience is essential in communication.

Where it applies

  • writing
  • public speaking
  • content creation

Putting it to work

  • edit concisely
  • respect audience attention
  • focus on value

Questions to consider

  • What makes time well spent for a reader?
  • How do you balance detail with brevity?

Another view

Different genres require different pacing standards.

More from Larry Niven

  1. 3) Stories to end all stories on a given topic, don't.

    Permalink to quote #53
  2. 5) If you've nothing to say, say it any way you like. Stylistic innovations, contorted story lines or none, exoticor genderless pronouns, internal inconsistenc…

    Permalink to quote #55
  3. 19) Think before you make the coward's choice. Old age is not for sissies.

    Permalink to quote #52

Related quotes

  1. I guess I think I'm writing for people who are smarter than I am, because then I'll be doing something that's worth their time. I'd be very afraid to write fro…

    Susan SontagSusan Sontag quote #16
  2. The essence of education is that it be religious. Pray, what is religious education? A religious education is an education which inculcates duty and reverence.…

    Alfred North WhiteheadAlfred North Whitehead quote #22
  3. Well, a novel does acquire a certain kind of richness when you work on it for a long time that can't really be faked.

    Donna TarttDonna Tartt quote #39