In writing as in life, learn from your mistakes

“When it’s finally in print, you’re delivered—you don’t ever have to look at it again. It’s too late to worry about its failings. I’ll have to apply any lessons this book has taught me toward writing the next one.”

—Eudora Welty

I only just wrote about another brilliant Eudora Welty quote a couple of weeks ago, but with advice this good, it’s hard to pass up another mention.

Most writers know how hard it is to finalize your work. The writing, editing, rewriting and then rewriting that rewriting.

At a certain point, however, you have to let it go.

And I like Welty’s assertion that there is nothing more you can do, even about its shortcomings.

But, in literature as in life, you can learn from your mistakes, and you will come to your next novel or short story with newfound wisdom and experience that will make your new work even better. And what writer can ask for more than that?