I don’t like writers whose writing is so obvious that I…
““I don’t like writers whose writing is so obvious that I can predict what he’ll write while I’m still taking in his current thoughts. Why, this means that I know what he knows, and the point of reading is to discover things and thoughts which I don’t already know or that haven’t occurred to me. The greatest amusement is surprise. Fellatio! (Bet you didn’t see that coming!)””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote criticizes predictable writing and celebrates surprise as the joy of reading, urging authors to challenge readers with new ideas.
In simple terms: Predictable writing is boring; surprise makes reading rewarding.
Key Takeaway
Seek originality and surprise in writing.
Themes
creativity
reading
surprise
literary criticism
Mood
provocative
playful
critical
Type
analysis
commentary
When to use this quote
- book clubs
- creative writing workshops
- literary reviews
- author talks
Key Concepts
Narrative expectations
author-reader relationship
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you make familiar topics feel fresh?
- What risks do you take to surprise readers?
A Different Perspective
Predictability can sometimes be intentional for comfort or genre conventions.