--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Here's my theory: I think both fiction…" description: "\"Here's my theory: I think both fiction and role-playing games involve a narrative journey. When that journey never ends, it feeds an addictive cycle. W..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/94e/allegra-goodman-11384_book_here-s-my-theory-i-think-both-fiction-an_1522523.jpg" --- # Here's my theory: I think both fiction and role-playing… ![“Here's my theory: I think both fiction and role-playing games involve a narrative journey. When that journey never ends, it feeds an addictive cycle. When that journey has an end, it brings us back to ourselves and to our own lives. This return allows us to reflect. Perhaps this is why I prefer a…” quote by Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/94e/allegra-goodman-11384_book_here-s-my-theory-i-think-both-fiction-an_1522523.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/94e/allegra-goodman-11384_book_here-s-my-theory-i-think-both-fiction-an_1522523.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/94e/allegra-goodman-11384_book_here-s-my-theory-i-think-both-fiction-an_1522523.jpg) > “Here's my theory: I think both fiction and role-playing games involve a narrative journey. When that journey never ends, it feeds an addictive cycle. When that journey has an end, it brings us back to ourselves and to our own lives. This return allows us to reflect. Perhaps this is why I prefer a closed structure for books and games.” [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A finite narrative lets us finish a story, reflect, and apply insights to real life, whereas endless narratives can create addictive loops. **In simple terms:** Closed stories help reflection; endless ones can become addictive. Key Takeaway Prefer closed structures for meaningful reflection. Themes narrative structure reflection addiction games fiction Mood thoughtful analytical reflective Type philosophical observational When to use this quote - book clubs - game design - personal growth - media consumption - educational settings Key Concepts story arcs player agency psychology of immersion life application Questions to Reflect On - How does a story’s ending affect your personal growth? - What benefits might endless narratives offer? A Different Perspective Endless narratives can also foster creativity and ongoing engagement. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Fiction Role](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fiction-role-3772305/) [Involve Narrative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/involve-narrative-5631261/) [Journey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journey/) [Narrative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/narrative/) [Narrative Journey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/narrative-journey-3055008/) [Think Fiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-fiction/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Video](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/video/) ## Related quotes > [Unlike other books or TV shows or sometimes life, my narrative worlds are stripped of implicit moral centers. There is only what you bring.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-abani/unlike-other-books-or-tv-shows-or-sometimes-life-my-narrative-worlds/) [Chris Abani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-abani/) > [I am not particularly distressed by the state of fiction or the role of the writer. 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And I don't think a fiction…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colum-mccann/i-don-t-believe-a-poet-has-a-better-hold-on-truth-or-morality-than-a/) [Colum McCann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colum-mccann/) > [“I would say, for the moment, that community, at least community larger than the immediate family, consists very largely of imaginative love for people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/i-would-say-for-the-moment-that-community-at-least-community-larger/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) > [If you think about it, fiction is nothing more than gossip about the people you've made up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dufresne/if-you-think-about-it-fiction-is-nothing-more-than-gossip-about-the/) [John Dufresne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dufresne/) > [Everybody should read fiction… I don’t think serious fiction is written for a few people. I think we live in a stupid culture that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percival-everett/everybody-should-read-fiction-i-don-t-think-serious-fiction-is/) [Percival Everett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percival-everett/) > [A lot of people think the best work I've done was nonfiction - the 'Brothers and Keepers' book. But I think of myself as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edgar-wideman/a-lot-of-people-think-the-best-work-i-ve-done-was-nonfiction-the/) [John Edgar Wideman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edgar-wideman/) ## More by Allegra Goodman > [“On the third day, she smelled the fruit as soon as she came in. She followed the scent to the kitchen, and the peach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/on-the-third-day-she-smelled-the-fruit-as-soon-as-she-came-in-she/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [“She herself vacillated when it came to belief. She did not particularly believe in God. 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