Try any goddam thing you like, no matter how boringly normal or outrageous. If it works, fine. If it doesn't, toss it. Toss it even if you love it.
Stephen KingRead
With six weeks' worth of recuperation time, you'll also be able to see any glaring holes in the plot or character development. And listen--if you spot a few of these big holes, you are forbidden to feel depressed about them or to beat up on yourself. Screw-ups happen to the best of us.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Mistakes are part of the creative process, and taking a break can help identify issues in your work without self-criticism.
In this quote, Stephen King emphasizes the importance of allowing oneself to recuperate and reflect on creative work. By taking a break, one gains fresh perspective to identify flaws and imperfections in plot or character development, and it's crucial to approach these discoveries with compassion for oneself, as mistakes are a natural part of the creative journey.
Themes
RecuperationCreative ProcessSelf-CompassionMistakesPlot Holes
In practice
Example use cases
Use this quote when discussing the importance of breaks in the writing process.
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