I have never thought of myself as a good writer. Anyone who wants reassurance of that should read one of my first drafts. But I'm one of the world's great rewriters.
James A. MichenerRead
I'm not a very good writer, but I'm an excellent rewriter.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Good writing often comes from rewriting; the process of refining and improving ideas is crucial.
James A. Michener emphasizes the importance of rewriting as a key component of writing well. He implies that while one may not start with perfect prose, the act of revising allows for clarity, depth, and improvement, highlighting that mastery in writing often involves diligent editing and refinement.
Themes
WritingRewritingRevisionCreativityImprovement
In practice
Example use cases
In a writing workshop, you could say this quote to emphasize the value of peer reviews and revisions.
More from James A. Michener
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I was brought up in the great tradition of the late nineteenth century: that a writer never complains, never explains and never disdains.
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