Nora Roberts? Eileen Wilks? Lori Avocato? Susan Elizabeth Phillips? Bonnie Hearn Hill? Anonymous?
Dear Quote Investigator: When you are attempting to write a book you must move forward and put words on a blank page or screen even if you fear that your output is flawed. Eventually, you will be able to revise and improve your initial draft. This writing advice can be summarized in the following two ways:
(1) I can fix a bad page. I can’t fix a blank one.
(2) You can’t fix a blank page.
Who crafted this advice? Would you please help me to find a citation?
Quote Investigator: In July 1997 “USA Today” published a piece about bestselling romance and suspense author Nora Roberts. She commented on her writing process. Boldface added to excerpts by QI:[1] 1997 July 31, USA Today, For Janet Dailey, a romance gone sour Book deal on hold in wake of scandal by Nanci Hellmich, Quote Page D 1:5, McLean, Virginia. (ProQuest)
She says she would never crib an idea from another book — let alone take dialogue or entire scenes — even if her prose wasn’t coming easily. “I believe writing is a discipline. I write every day. Even if I’m not writing well, I write through it. I can fix a bad page. I can’t fix a blank one.”
Below are additional selected citations in chronological order.
Continue reading Writing Advice: I Can Fix a Bad Page. I Can’t Fix a Blank One
References
| ↑1 | 1997 July 31, USA Today, For Janet Dailey, a romance gone sour Book deal on hold in wake of scandal by Nanci Hellmich, Quote Page D 1:5, McLean, Virginia. (ProQuest) |
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