I think of writing as a sculptural medium. You are not building things. You are removing things, chipping away at language to reveal a living form.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Writing is subtractive; you refine language to reveal meaning rather than building up.
- In plain terms
- Editing removes words to show the true message.
- What can you take from it?
- Edit by removing unnecessary words.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What do you remove to find truth?
- Is writing about addition or subtraction?
Another view
Some writing requires adding detail rather than removing.
More from Will Self
I have a healthy appetite for solitude. If you don't, you have no business being a writer.
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