Nothing you write, if you hope to be any good, will ever come out as you first hoped.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Hellman notes that written work rarely matches the initial vision or expectation of the author.
- In plain terms
- Your writing will never be as perfect as you first imagined it would be.
- What can you take from it?
- Accept that revision and imperfection are part of the writing process.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you handle imperfect drafts?
- What defines good writing?
Another view
Some writers do produce work close to their initial vision.
More from Lillian Hellman
Nobody outside of a baby carriage or a judge's chamber believes in an unprejudiced point of view.
Permalink to quote #23 People change and forget to tell each other.
Permalink to quote #25 My father was often angry when I was most like him.
Permalink to quote #22
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