This quote emphasizes the importance of revision in the writing process. When Stevenson says "writing," he’s referring not just to the act of putting words on a page, but the entire process from conception to final draft. He implies that the real work, the true essence of writing, lies in rewriting. It’s in the refining, the pruning, the rethinking, and the reworking of those initial thoughts and ideas.

The idea here is that the first draft is just the beginning. It’s the raw material, the lump of clay from which the final work is sculpted. It’s in the rewriting process that a piece of writing truly takes shape, where its themes become clear, its characters come to life, its plot tightens, and its prose polishes. It’s a process of constant improvement, of looking at what you’ve created with a critical eye and asking yourself how it could be better.

Applying this idea to today’s world and personal development, it suggests that our first attempts at anything – a project, a skill, a relationship – are just the starting point. They’re not the end product, and they’re not definitive. They’re something to build on, to refine, to improve. It’s through this process of continual revision and improvement that we grow and develop. In a world that often values speed and instant results, this quote is a reminder of the value of patience, persistence, and the pursuit of excellence.

In the context of personal development, it points to the importance of self-reflection and self-improvement. Just as a writer revises their work, we can also "rewrite" aspects of ourselves, our behaviors, and our lives. We can learn from our mistakes, make changes, and strive to become better versions of ourselves. It’s a reminder that growth and improvement are always possible, and that they’re often the result of hard work and persistence rather than sudden, dramatic change.