Writing a novel is like making soup. The base is a broth…
““Writing a novel is like making soup. The base is a broth we make up wholesale—for instance, I have one child, not five, and am not only not a doctor but, in fact, am made woozy by paper cuts. Then, to that entirely made-up broth, we add a sprinkling of research, some chunks of childhood memories, a handful of sautéed morsels overheard at the playground, a few diced bits we weren’t planning on but turned out to need for depth of flavor, and some finely chopped pieces of our own lives. Simmer until all the disparate parts mellow and blend but still enhance and augment one another. This is how you cook a novel. Some made up, some real life, all true.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Frankel likens novel writing to soup, blending imagined and real elements to create depth.
In simple terms: Writing mixes made‑up and real experiences like cooking soup.
Key Takeaway
Blend imagination with reality.
Themes
creativity
writing
process
Mood
inspired
reflective
Type
instructional
metaphorical
When to use this quote
- novel planning
- draft revisions
- workshop feedback
Key Concepts
storytelling
craft
imagination
Questions to Reflect On
- What ingredients make your story flavorful?
- How do you balance fact and fiction?
A Different Perspective
Risk of over‑reliance on personal anecdotes.