“Put down everything that comes into your head and then you're a writer. But an author is one who can judge his own stuff's worth, without pity, and destroy most of it.”
Decryption of quote
Put down everything that comes into your head and then you're a writer. This quote speaks to the act of writing as a form of expression and creativity. It encourages individuals to not hold back their thoughts and ideas, but instead to let them flow freely onto the page. In this sense, anyone who puts pen to paper or fingers to keyboard can be considered a writer.
But an author is one who can judge his own stuff's worth, without pity, and destroy most of it. This part of the quote delves deeper into the distinction between a writer and an author. It suggests that true authors possess the ability to critically evaluate their own work and make tough decisions about what is worth keeping and what should be discarded.
Being able to judge the worth of one's writing without bias or sentimentality is a skill that sets authors apart. It requires a level of self-awareness and objectivity that can be challenging to cultivate. However, it is essential for producing high-quality and impactful work.
Destroying most of one's writing may seem counterintuitive or even painful, but it is a necessary part of the creative process. By letting go of what is not working or serving the overall vision of a piece, authors make room for new ideas to emerge and for their writing to reach its full potential.
It takes courage and humility to be willing to discard parts of one's writing, but it is a sign of dedication to the craft. Authors who are willing to make tough decisions about their work demonstrate a commitment to excellence and a willingness to push themselves to grow and improve as writers.
Ultimately, the act of destroying most of one's writing is not a sign of failure, but rather a step towards honing one's craft and creating work that is truly impactful and meaningful. It is a process of refinement and self-discovery that allows authors to push past their comfort zones and reach new heights in their writing.
So, while being a writer is about putting your thoughts and ideas onto paper, being an author is about having the courage and discernment to shape those thoughts and ideas into something truly remarkable. It is about being willing to let go of what is not working in order to make room for what truly shines.
In the end, the ability to judge one's own work without pity and to destroy most of it is a mark of a true author, one who is dedicated to the craft of writing and committed to producing work that is both powerful and enduring. It is a reminder that writing is not just about putting words on a page, but about shaping those words into something that resonates deeply with readers and stands the test of time.
