Character Quote by Alan Dale
“The guys that write Once Upon a Time were major writers on Lost, and we had lunch when I started on OUAT and the first thing I said to them was, "I spent five years on Lost, you have to tell me, was my character good or bad?" They looked at me and said, "We have no idea." That's why you have to make your own backstory. I decided Widmore was the evilest of the evil, but in the end, not even the writers knew.”
About This Quote
Source TV: Once Upon a Time (Series), 2011–2018
Writers may not know a character’s moral alignment; creators must define backstories themselves.
In simple terms: Writers often lack character insight; you must craft it.
Key Takeaway
Define your character’s motives.
Themes
storytelling
character development
creative control
Mood
reflective
curious
Type
analytical
insightful
When to use this quote
- TV scriptwriting
- character arcs
- fan discussions
Key Concepts
Narrative ambiguity
authorial intent
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you decide a character’s morality?
- What backstory would change your perception?
A Different Perspective
Characters can be misinterpreted without clear backstory.
