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 am always interested in why young people become writers, and from talking with many I have concluded that most do not want to be writers working eight and ten hours a day and accomplishing little; they want to have been writers, garnering the rewards of having completed a best-seller. They aspire to the rewards of writing but not to the travail.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the desire of young aspiring writers for the rewards of success without understanding the hard work that leads to it.
James A. Michener's quote highlights a common phenomenon among young writers who yearn for the glory and accolades of being a successful author, often idealizing the end product of writing a best-seller without recognizing the extensive effort, dedication, and struggle that goes into the writing process itself. It serves as a reminder that the journey to success, especially in creative fields, requires substantial commitment and hard work, rather than merely a desire for the resultant fame and recognition.
Themes
WritingSuccessEffortAspirationReward
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech for aspiring authors, I might quote Michener to emphasize the importance of hard work in writing.
More from James A. Michener
All quotes βWhenever I start a book, I swear it's going to be a short one. But then it's, 'Who was his grandfather? And how did he get there in the first place? And what kind of animals is he chasing?'
James A. MichenerRead
Rampaging horsemen can conquer; only the city can civilize.
James A. MichenerRead
I think the crucial thing in the writing career is to find what you want to do and how you fit in. What somebody else does is of no concern whatever except as an interesting variation.
James A. MichenerRead
If a man happens to find himself, he has a mansion which he can inhabit with dignity all the days of his life.
James A. MichenerRead
I was brought up in the great tradition of the late nineteenth century: that a writer never complains, never explains and never disdains.
James A. MichenerRead
Similar quotes
We are producing something people can live without. But we need to keep thinking what would make our products a priority purchase even if they are not a necessity. If we stop doing that, no matter how successful Nintendo is at the moment, things will start going wrong in no time.
Satoru IwataRead
I probably have traveled and walked into more variety stores than anybody in America. I am just trying to get ideas, any kind of ideas that will help our company. Most of us don't invent ideas. We take the best ideas from someone else.
Sam WaltonRead
That's a pretty big advantage to this journey that I've been able to have, is that I was able to start at such a young age because my father built a setup and I was able to build a technique from 3 years up to now. Without the backyard, I'm not whatever I am today. I knew that none of my classmates were pole vaulting.
Armand DuplantisRead
Whatever you want in life, you've got to give away first.
Robert KiyosakiRead
In order to hit a good golf shot at that moment in time when you're standing over the ball, you must believe that golf shot is the most important things in your life.
Tiger WoodsRead
I will certainly not join politics. I would like to be remembered as a clean businessman who has not partaken in any twists and turns beneath the surface, and one who has been reasonably successful.
Ratan TataRead