I don't like real places, but I don't like imagined ones…
“I don't like real places, but I don't like imagined ones either. I feel like I'm looking for some mixture and it's very hard for me to say because I like to use real place names because there's an uncanny feeling to them, but at the same time I don't ever really try to make them plausible. Sometimes I like to use them as a way to hide in plain sight a little bit, because to me a very exotic or imagined setting has a lot of weight and a lot of burden to it, and it doesn't suit me, but a real place seems to have its own weird legacy, so I don't know what the choice is?”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The author struggles between using real locations, which feel familiar yet carry hidden weight, and imagined settings, which feel burdensome and less authentic.
In simple terms: Choosing setting is hard; real places feel heavy, imagined feel forced.
Key Takeaway
Balance authenticity with imagination.
Themes
creativity
setting
authenticity
Mood
reflective
conflicted
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- worldbuilding
- character development
- scene setting
Key Concepts
literary
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you decide when a setting serves the story?
- What emotional impact do real vs. imagined places have?
A Different Perspective
Real places can limit imagination; imagined worlds may feel inauthentic.