I hate tricks. At the first sign of a trick or gimmick in…
““I hate tricks. At the first sign of a trick or gimmick in a piece of fiction, a cheap trick or even an elaborate trick, I tend to look for cover. Tricks are ultimately boring, and I get bored easily, which may go along with my not having much of an attention span. But extremely clever chi-chi writing, or just plain tomfoolery writing, puts me to sleep. Writers don't need tricks or gimmicks or even necessarily need to be the smartest fellows on the block. At the risk of appearing foolish, a writer sometimes needs to be able to just stand and gape at this or that thing- a sunset or an old shoe- in absolute and simple amazement.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker dislikes contrived literary devices, finding them boring, and prefers simple, sincere wonder in writing.
In simple terms: Avoid gimmicks; seek genuine awe.
Key Takeaway
Embrace plain observation.
Themes
authenticity
literary taste
attention
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
analytical
reflective
When to use this quote
- writing critique
- reading habits
- creative inspiration
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
minimalism
reader engagement
creative honesty
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you value simplicity over cleverness?
- How do you react to overt literary tricks?
A Different Perspective
Some readers may still enjoy clever twists.