Fiction Quote by Amy Hempel
“I started writing by doing small related things but not the thing itself, circling it and getting closer. I had no idea how to write fiction. So I did journalism because there were rules I could learn. You can teach someone to write a news story. They might not write a great one, but you can teach that pretty easily.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Paris Review, 1995
Learning foundational skills in a related field can serve as a stepping stone to mastering a desired craft.
In simple terms: Start with related basics before tackling the main goal.
Key Takeaway
Build skills through related practice.
Themes
learning
writing
skill building
discipline
Mood
motivational
practical
Type
advice
inspirational
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- news reporting
- creative writing courses
- self‑study plans
Key Concepts
journalism as training ground
skill transfer
incremental learning
Questions to Reflect On
- What related skill can you practice now?
- How will it feed into your main goal?
A Different Perspective
Risk of getting stuck in the peripheral field.
