I decided to make myself a little less precious with my…
“I decided to make myself a little less precious with my storytelling. I think you can see from the first three pieces in the book that I have a long term relationship with the short story as a form and I really love an elegantly crafted story that has several elements that come together in a way that is emotionally complex and different from when we started. That kind of crystalline, perfect, idealized thing that the short story as a genre has come to represent.”
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 describes a deliberate shift toward less self‑indulgent storytelling, aiming for short stories that are tightly crafted, emotionally layered, and distinct from earlier, more straightforward works.
In simple terms: She seeks concise, emotionally rich stories that avoid being overly precious.
Key Takeaway
Embrace restraint and complexity in writing.
Themes
craft
self‑reflection
literature
short story
artistic growth
Mood
thoughtful
inspirational
analytical
Type
literary
reflective
When to use this quote
- creative writing workshops
- editing process
- literary criticism
- story development
- personal artistic evolution
Key Concepts
minimalism
emotional depth
form vs. content
authorial intent
Questions to Reflect On
- How does one maintain depth while simplifying?
- What risks arise from making stories less "precious"?
A Different Perspective
Balancing restraint with emotional impact can be challenging for writers.