Blank Quote by Ayn Rand
“Even in dialogue, your own style rules your selection. Do not give yourself a blank check of this kind: 'I'll merely reproduce what I think a character like so-and-so would say.' You have to reproduce it in the way your literary premises dictate.”
About This Quote
It asserts that an author's personal style dictates character dialogue, not a generic imitation of imagined speech.
In simple terms: Style shapes dialogue, not blank imitation.
Key Takeaway
Let your literary premises guide character voice.
Themes
writing
style
authenticity
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
instructional
philosophical
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- screenwriting
- role‑playing games
- teaching writing
Key Concepts
literary theory
character development
creative control
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your personal style influence your characters?
- When should you deviate from your usual voice?
A Different Perspective
Risk of limiting creative flexibility by adhering too strictly to personal style.
![“Do remember, though, that unless you're a playwright, the result [dialogue] isn't what you want; it's only an element of what you want. Actors embody and re-create the words of drama. In fiction, a tremendous amount of story and character may be given through the dialogue, but the story-world and…” quote by Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ccc/ursula-k-le-guin-138_actors_do-remember-though-that-unless-you-re-a_2836249.jpg)
