My reaction to porno films is as follows: After the first ten minutes, I want to go home and screw. After the first twenty minutes, I never want to screw again as long as I live.
Erica JongRead
Compose with utter freedom and edit with utter discipline.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Creativity requires both freedom and discipline.
This quote by Erica Jong highlights the duality of the creative process. It points out that while composing or creating art, one should embrace complete freedom to explore ideas without constraints. However, the editing phase demands strict discipline to refine and polish those ideas into a coherent and impactful final product. Thus, a balance of liberation in the initial creation and rigidity in the revision is essential for successful artistic expression.
Themes
CreativityFreedomDisciplineArtEditing
In practice
Example use cases
A speaker at an art workshop might use this quote to emphasize the importance of both creativity and structure in the artistic process.
More from Erica Jong
All quotes βI have accepted fear as a part of life - specifically the fear of change... I have gone ahead despite the pounding in the heart that says: turn back.
Erica JongRead
No one ever found wisdom without also being a fool. Writers, alas, have to be fools in public, while the rest of the human race can cover its tracks.
Erica JongRead
My generation was not only maligned in book reviews and attacked in graduate school but we lived to see our adored and adorable daughters wonder why feminism had become a dirty word.
Erica JongRead
Do you want me to tell you something really subversive? Love is everything it's cracked up to be. That's why people are so cynical about it. It really is worth fighting for, being brave for, risking everything for. And the trouble is, if you don't risk anything, you risk even more.
Erica JongRead
I believe that women should live for love, for motherhood and for intellect, and I believe we shouldn't have to choose. And I believe that's always been difficult for women, to express themselves intellectually, maternally, and passionately.
Erica JongRead
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This is the beauty I want. Beauty has got to be astonishing, astounding-- it's got to burst in on you like a dream, like the exquisite eyes of a girl.
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There was always a part of me that wanted to be an old-time director. But I couldn't do that. I'm not a pro.
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But in the next world I shan't be doing music, with all the striving and disappointments. I shall be being it.
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