For the most part, my characters don't talk to me. I like…
“For the most part, my characters don't talk to me. I like to lord over them like some kind of benevolent deity. And, for the most part, my characters go along with it. I write intense character sketches and long, play-like conversations between me and them, but they stay out of the book writing itself.”
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 treats characters as distant figures, controlling them like a god, while keeping them out of the narrative voice.
In simple terms: Characters are controlled but not spoken to directly.
Key Takeaway
Embrace the distance between creator and creation.
Themes
creativity
authorial control
character development
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
creative
process
metacognitive
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- screenwriting
- role‑playing games
- creative workshops
Key Concepts
metafiction
narrative voice
authorial omniscience
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this distance affect character authenticity?
- Can you balance control with character agency?
A Different Perspective
May limit emotional depth and reader connection.