--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Time is just 'one damn thing after…" description: "\"“Time is just 'one damn thing after another ', Margaret Atwood says. That sounds like conventional narrative plot. And at the end of our allotted time,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/053/ali-smith-1801_margaret-atwood_time-is-just-one-damn-thing-after-anothe_911711.jpg" --- # Time is just 'one damn thing after another ', Margaret… ![“Time is just 'one damn thing after another ', Margaret Atwood says. That sounds like conventional narrative plot. And at the end of our allotted time, we'll end up in one of those, a conventional plot I mean, unless we stipulate otherwise in our wills.” quote by Ali Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/053/ali-smith-1801_margaret-atwood_time-is-just-one-damn-thing-after-anothe_911711.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/053/ali-smith-1801_margaret-atwood_time-is-just-one-damn-thing-after-anothe_911711.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/053/ali-smith-1801_margaret-atwood_time-is-just-one-damn-thing-after-anothe_911711.jpg) > ““Time is just 'one damn thing after another ', Margaret Atwood says. That sounds like conventional narrative plot. And at the end of our allotted time, we'll end up in one of those, a conventional plot I mean, unless we stipulate otherwise in our wills.”” [Ali Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-smith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Woodward suggests life is a series of inevitable events, likening it to a conventional narrative unless we deliberately choose a different path. **In simple terms:** Life feels like a predictable story unless we intervene. Key Takeaway Recognize patterns and decide to change the script. Themes life narrative choice destiny agency storytelling Mood reflective philosophical Type literary inspirational When to use this quote - career planning - personal relationships - creative projects - life decisions Key Concepts determinism free will personal agency Questions to Reflect On - What narratives are you following? - How can you rewrite your story? A Different Perspective May underestimate randomness and external constraints. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Clock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clock/) [Conventional Narrative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conventional-narrative-1336479/) [Conventional Plot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conventional-plot-1340472/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/margaret-atwood/) [Narrative Plot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/narrative-plot-1340473/) [Plot End](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plot-end-1340474/) [Time Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-just/) ## Related quotes > [I've got to formulate a plot or end up in jail or shot, success is my only option, failure's not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eminem/i-ve-got-to-formulate-a-plot-or-end-up-in-jail-or-shot-success-is-my/) [Eminem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eminem/) > [I write fast. But it takes me a while to get going. It's very important for me to see my whole plot. 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Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-m-lerner/) > [My only aim is to clock a time that everyone remembers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hima-das/my-only-aim-is-to-clock-a-time-that-everyone-remembers/) [Hima Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hima-das/) > [Time.The greatest creator, and the worst destroyer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/levi-keely/time-the-greatest-creator-and-the-worst-destroyer/) [Levi Keely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/levi-keely/) > [Steven Spielberg seems to have wanted to be a director from 13. 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