My working method has more often than not involved the…
“My working method has more often than not involved the subtraction of weight. I have tried to remove weight, sometimes from people, sometimes from heavenly bodies, sometimes from cities; above all I have tried to remove weight from the structure of stories and from language. . . . Maybe I was only then becoming aware of the weight, the inertia, the opacity of the world--qualities that stick to the writing from the start, unless one finds some way of evading them.”
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 reflects on attempts to lighten various aspects of life—people, objects, stories—recognizing that weight, inertia, and opacity are inherent challenges in writing and perception.
In simple terms: Removing weight from stories is hard because heaviness is built in.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge and work around inherent complexity.
Themes
writing
complexity
perception
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- editing
- teaching
- writing workshops
Key Concepts
literary theory
creative process
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance lightness and depth?
- What techniques reduce heaviness?
A Different Perspective
Weight may be essential for depth.