Draft No. 4
by John McPhee
"Draft No. 4" by John McPhee offers a rich exploration of the writing process, blending personal anecdotes with insights into the craft of nonfiction. Through a series of essays, McPhee shares his experiences, techniques, and the importance of revision, emphasizing how meticulous attention to detail shapes compelling narratives. This book serves as both a guide and an inspiration for writers at all levels.
19 curated highlights from this book
Key Insights & Memorable Quotes
Below are the most impactful passages and quotes from Draft No. 4, carefully selected to capture the essence of the book.
The art of writing is the art of discovering what you believe.
The writer’s job is to find the material that will make the story come alive.
To write is to make a decision about the order of things.
You have to be willing to put in the time to get to the heart of the matter.
The best writing is rewriting.
Every piece of writing is a journey into the unknown.
Writing is an act of faith, not a trick of grammar.
You must be willing to be surprised by what you find.
The challenge is to make the mundane interesting.
A writer is someone who has written something.
The first sentence is the hardest.
A writer's job is to find the right word.
You write to figure out what you think.
A sentence should be an experience.
Structure is the backbone of any piece.
Every word counts in a narrative.
The writer is a collector of moments.