She had to decide whether she was going to read or write. But I only write well after I've read well. And I had to figure that out. I'd realize that I wasn't writing well because I hadn't read enough good writers. And besides that there is no greater pleasure.
Revision is critical.
You might find that the idea you had was a great idea and the story you are using to illustrate it is absolutely the wrong story. So you might have one good sentence out of your 3,000 words, but that is where you begin when you go back. The first desire of a writer, Kephart maintains, should not to be published. The first impulse should be 'I want to have the privilege of dwelling in language, and memory and idea. I think when you do that you are the most alive you are ever going to be.