The Quote That Defines the Writer’s Journey > “Writing and rewriting are a constant search for what it is one is saying.”
— John Updike Every writer knows the feeling. You sit down with a clear idea, but the words that emerge don’t quite capture it. You revise, rearrange, and rewrite. Sometimes, you delete entire paragraphs. Other times, you add new sections that suddenly make everything click. This endless cycle of refinement isn’t a flaw in the writing process. Instead, it represents the very heart of what writers do. John Updike captured this truth perfectly in his famous observation about writing and rewriting. His words reveal something profound about creative work and human expression. ## The Origins of Updike’s Insight John Updike first shared this wisdom in 1966. The collection featured various authors discussing their craft. Updike contributed commentary about his own revision process. He examined transcripts of his story drafts. Several paragraphs had been removed during editing. Looking back, he recognized that his instinct to cut them was correct. Those sections never truly belonged in the final version. However, Updike made an important distinction. Not every revision involves deletion. In another story called “Flight,” he actually added hundreds of words. These additions provided family background information. The earlier story needed this context, while his current piece didn’t. This led him to articulate his philosophy. Writing and rewriting serve a specific purpose. They help writers discover their true message. ## Why Writers Rewrite Most people assume writers know exactly what they want to say. They imagine ideas flowing perfectly from mind to page. Reality works quite differently. Writers often start with vague impressions. A feeling, an image, or a half-formed thought pushes them to begin. The first draft captures something, but it’s rarely the full picture. Through revision, the actual message emerges. Think of it like sculpting. The sculptor doesn’t create the form all at once. Instead, they chip away excess material. They refine shapes and smooth surfaces. Eventually, the intended figure reveals itself. Similarly, writers carve away unnecessary words. They reshape awkward sentences and polish rough passages. The process uncovers what they truly meant to express. ### The Discovery Process Writing functions as a tool for thinking. When you write, you externalize internal thoughts. This makes them visible and concrete. Once ideas exist on paper, you can examine them objectively. Often, you’ll discover gaps in your logic. Arguments that seemed solid in your head fall apart on paper. Conversely, tangential thoughts sometimes reveal unexpected connections. These discoveries happen through the act of writing itself. Rewriting amplifies this discovery process. Each revision offers new insights. You understand your subject more deeply. Your perspective sharpens. The message becomes clearer with every pass. ## How the Quote Evolved Over Time Updike’s original statement included specific phrasing. He wrote: “what it is one is saying.” This particular construction emphasizes the search aspect. Writers hunt for something that already exists within them. By 1969, variations began appearing. Source Murray shortened the phrase to “what one is saying.” He removed “it is” from the middle. This abbreviated version spread quickly. It appeared in newspapers and writing guides throughout the 1980s. The shorter form proved easier to remember and quote. In 1975, Professor John R. Source Trimble preserved the complete original. He used it as an epigraph for his opening chapter. Trimble properly documented the 1966 source. Later variations changed the phrasing even more. Some versions replaced “one” with “you.” These adaptations made the quote feel more direct and personal. Nevertheless, they moved further from Updike’s original words. ### Why Accuracy Matters These variations demonstrate an ironic truth. Even a quote about precision in writing gets transformed through repetition. People remember the essence but forget exact wording. For scholars and serious writers, accuracy matters. Proper attribution respects the original author. It also preserves the specific nuances they intended. Updike chose his words carefully. Each phrase contributed to his meaning. Moreover, tracking quotation evolution teaches valuable lessons. It shows how ideas spread and change. Understanding this process helps writers appreciate the living nature of language. ## Applying Updike’s Wisdom Today Modern writers face unique challenges. Digital publishing enables instant sharing. Social media rewards quick posts. The pressure to publish fast conflicts with the need to revise thoroughly. Yet Updike’s insight remains relevant. Perhaps it’s even more important now. When everyone can publish immediately, quality distinguishes professional writers from casual posters. Professional writers embrace revision. They understand that first drafts serve as raw material. The real work happens during rewriting. Each revision brings them closer to their true message. ### Practical Revision Strategies Effective revision requires specific techniques. First, separate drafting from editing. Write freely without self-censorship. Get ideas onto the page. Worry about quality later. Second, take breaks between drafts. Distance provides perspective. You’ll spot problems more easily after stepping away. Fresh eyes catch awkward phrasing and logical gaps. Third, read your work aloud. Your ear catches what your eye misses. Clunky sentences become obvious. Rhythm problems reveal themselves. This simple technique dramatically improves clarity. Fourth, focus each revision pass on specific elements. One pass for structure. Another for word choice. A third for grammar and punctuation. Trying to fix everything simultaneously overwhelms you. Finally, accept that revision never truly ends. You simply reach a point where further changes yield diminishing returns. Professional writers learn to recognize this moment. ## The Deeper Truth About Writing Updike’s observation reveals something profound about human communication. We often don’t fully understand our own thoughts until we articulate them. Language shapes thinking as much as thinking shapes language. This explains why writing feels difficult. You’re not just transcribing pre-formed ideas. You’re actively constructing meaning through words. The process involves discovery, not mere translation. Consequently, writing becomes a journey. You start with a destination in mind, but the path reveals itself gradually. Sometimes, you end up somewhere completely different. The journey itself transforms your understanding. ### Writing as Self-Knowledge This perspective elevates writing beyond mere communication. It becomes a tool for self-understanding. Through writing, you clarify your beliefs. You examine your assumptions. You discover what you truly think and feel. Many writers describe this experience. They begin an essay or story with one intention. Midway through, they realize they’re actually exploring something else. The writing process revealed their true subject. This happens because writing forces precision. Vague feelings must become specific words. Abstract concepts need concrete examples. This requirement pushes you to understand your own thoughts more deeply. ## Embracing the Search Updike’s words offer permission. They validate the struggle every writer experiences. Revision isn’t failure. It’s the natural process of discovery. When you delete paragraphs, you’re not wasting time. You’re eliminating paths that don’t lead to your destination. When you rewrite sentences repeatedly, you’re refining your understanding. Each iteration brings clarity. Therefore, embrace the search. Accept that writing involves exploration. Trust the revision process. Your message exists somewhere within your initial drafts. Rewriting helps you find it. The best writers understand this truth. They don’t expect perfection in first drafts. Instead, they view drafting as material gathering. Revision transforms that material into meaningful communication. ## Conclusion: The Constant Search Continues Writing and rewriting form an inseparable pair. Together, they constitute the writer’s fundamental work. This work never becomes easy, but it does become familiar. Updike’s insight endures because it speaks to universal experience. Every writer recognizes this constant search. We all struggle to capture elusive thoughts. We all revise repeatedly, seeking the right words. This struggle defines the craft. It separates writers who care about their message from those who merely fill pages. The willingness to search, to revise, to keep refining—this commitment marks serious writers. Ultimately, writing teaches patience and persistence. Your first attempt won’t be your best. Your tenth might not be either. However, each revision moves you closer. Through this constant search, you discover not just what you’re saying, but who you are as a writer.