People do tell a writer things that they don't tell…
“People do tell a writer things that they don't tell others. I don't know why, unless it is that having read one or two of his books they feel on peculiarly intimate terms with him; or it may be that they dramatize themselves and, seeing themselves as it were as characters in a novel, are ready to be as open with him as they imagine the characters of his invention are.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Writers receive candid honesty from readers that they might not share with others, revealing a unique intimacy.
In simple terms: Readers are more open with authors.
Key Takeaway
Value honest feedback.
Themes
authorship
intimacy
reader-writer relationship
Mood
introspective
analytical
Type
literary
psychological
When to use this quote
- literary workshops
- author interviews
- fan conventions
Key Concepts
vulnerability
psychology
communication
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do people confide more in authors?
- How does this intimacy affect a writer’s work?
A Different Perspective
Not all readers feel comfortable being frank.