The most durable thing in writing is style, and style is the most valuable investment a writer can make with his time. It pays off slowly, your agent will sneer at it, your publisher will misunderstand it, and it will take people you have never heard of to convince them by slow degrees that the writer who puts his individual mark on the way he writes will always pay off.

Summary

This quote underscores the enduring significance of style in writing. It suggests that developing a unique and distinct writing style is a worthwhile investment of a writer's time since it possesses remarkable longevity. Despite initial dismissals from agents and publishers, it takes the gradual recognition from unfamiliar individuals to demonstrate the value of a writer who artistically and authentically crafts their work. Ultimately, the quote suggests that a writer who leaves their individual mark through their writing style will eventually reap the rewards.

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