"The writer probably knows what he meant when he wrote a book, but he should immediately forget what he meant when he's written it"
- William Golding
About this Quote
This quote by William Golding is a reminder to authors that when their work is complete, they should not be too connected to their initial intentions. It is important to keep in mind that the reader might interpret the text differently than the author meant. The author must not be too concerned with how the reader analyzes the text, as it is out of their control. Rather, the author needs to focus on the craft of composing and the story they are attempting to tell. This quote is a suggestion to authors that their work need to be judged by itself merits, and not on the author's original intentions. It is very important to keep in mind that the reader's interpretation of the text is just as valid as the author's. The author needs to be open to various interpretations and not be too attached to their own.