Attributes Quote by Akhil Sharma
“I can't have composite characters. I can't attribute dialogue to someone based simply on my memory and not based on notes taken at the time that the words were spoken.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Author interview, 2023, The New Yorker
The author stresses the necessity of accurate records for character dialogue, warning against relying solely on memory.
In simple terms: Accurate notes are essential for believable dialogue.
Key Takeaway
Keep detailed notes when writing.
Themes
writing discipline
memory
authenticity
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
advice
process
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- screenwriting
- journalism
Key Concepts
character development
creative process
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you ensure dialogue remains true to character?
- What tools help you capture spontaneous ideas?
A Different Perspective
Memory can be unreliable, leading to inconsistencies.
![“There's very little in the substance of [THE LADY IN THE VAN] which is not fact though some adjustments have had to be made. Over the years Miss Shepherd was visited by a succession of social workers so the character in the play is a composite figure. . . . A composite too are the neighbours…” quote by Alan Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3e7/alan-bennett-1922_adjustment_there-s-very-little-in-the-substance-of_239144.jpg)
