Logo - Feel The Words

Rewrite Quotes

On the itch to go back and do it again.

Several of these quotes come from writers describing rewriting as compulsive rather than optional - trimming the fat instead of starting over, revising until a perfectionist finally lets go.

I won't rewrite on set, but I'll just trim the fat.

Quotes by Sean Durkin

I can't rewrite history.

Quotes by Pattie Boyd

When I write something, I constantly rewrite.

Quotes by Nia Vardalos

I'm a perfectionist - I could rewrite forever.

Quotes by Jenna Bush

Could Quotes

I don't really revise. I tend to rewrite.

Quotes by Akhil Sharma

Frequently Asked Questions

What common thread runs through these rewrite quotes?
Most come from writers who treat revising as compulsive - trimming scenes rather than restarting, or reworking a piece endlessly until it feels right.
Does any quote say rewriting is impossible?
Yes, one flatly states that history itself cannot be rewritten, no matter how much a person might wish otherwise - see our History quotes.
What does "trim the fat" mean here?
It's a filmmaker's way of describing light editing on set rather than a full rewrite - cutting excess without touching the underlying structure, related to our Fat page.
Is perfectionism connected to the urge to rewrite?
One speaker admits they could keep revising Forever, framing perfectionism as a habit that never really finishes a piece of writing.
How does constant rewriting show up in a writer's process?
One quote simply notes that putting anything into words always leads to ongoing revision, suggesting the first draft is rarely treated as final.

One line pushes the idea further, admitting that history itself can't be rewritten no matter how forever the wish to try. See also quotes tagged History.