Living together Quote by Alice Munro
““Georgia took once a creative-writing course, and what the instructor told her was: Too many things. Too many things going on at the same time; also too many people. Think, he told her. What is the important thing? What do you want us to pay attention to? Think. Eventually she wrote a story that was about her grandfather killing chickens, and the instructor seemed to be pleased with it. Georgia herself thought that it was a fake. She made a long list of all the things that had been left out and handed it in as an appendix to the story. The instructor said that she expected too much, of herself and of the process, and that she was wearing him out. The course was not a total loss, because Georgia and the instructor ended up living together.””
About This Quote
A writer struggles with overwhelming details and expectations, learning to focus on core narrative.
In simple terms: Too many details distract from the main story.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize the essential elements.
Themes
writing
focus
expectations
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
advice
literary
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- draft revisions
- story planning
Key Concepts
creative process
overwhelm
editing
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you decide what to omit?
- What is the story’s core message?
A Different Perspective
Too much focus can stifle creativity.
