I think that's one of the maybe under-discussed aspects of process - the difference between a good writing day and a bad one is the quality of the split-second decisions you made.
Interpretation
The quality of our decisions in writing defines our success on any given day.
George Saunders emphasizes that the distinction between a productive writing day and an unproductive one often hinges on the split-second decisions we make throughout the writing process. These small choices, although seemingly minor, can significantly impact the flow and quality of our work.
In practice
During a writing workshop, you might use this quote to highlight the importance of decision-making in the writing process.
I still believe that capitalism is too harsh and I believe that, even within that, there is a lot of satisfaction and beauty if you happen to be one of the lucky ones, although that doesn't eradicate the reality of the suffering. It's all true at once, kind of humming and sublime.
Down in the city are the nice houses and the so-so houses and the lovers making out in dark yards and the babies crying for their moms, and I wonder if, other than Jesus, has this ever happened before. Maybe it happens all the time. Maybe there's angry dead all over, hiding in rooms, covered with blankets, bossing around their scared, embarrassed relatives. Because how would we know?
What a powerful thing to know: That one's own desires are mappable onto strangers; that what one finds in oneself will most certainly be found in The Other.
When you read a short story, you come out a little more aware and a little more in love with the world around you. What I want is to have the reader come out just 6 percent more awake to the world.
I don't think much new ever happens. Most of us spend our days the same way people spent their days in the year 1000: walking around smiling, trying to earn enough to eat, while neurotically doing these little self-proofs in our head about how much better we are than these other slobs, while simultaneously, in another part of our brain, secretly feeling woefully inadequate to these smarter, more beautiful people.
Irony is just honesty with the volume cranked up.
I thought, I need to be more cautious about my choices - it reflects on who I am.
Time passes unhindered. When we make mistakes, we cannot turn the clock back and try again. All we can do is use the present well.
Have patience with everything that remains unsolved in your heart. Do not despair if the answers don't come immediately. Some answers are only revealed with the passage of time.
Adversity is wont to reveal genius, prosperity to hide it.
Hot things, sharp things, sweet things, cold things All rot the teeth, and make them look like old things.
The apple tree never asks the beech how he shall grow, nor the lion, the horse, how he shall take his prey.
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