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Discovering Quote by Brian Evenson

“I don't always know what's going to go on in terms of the mood of the story. Sometimes I start with the mood, but sometimes I just try to work toward discovering it. But I do think often there's a mood or unsettling quality, in which the reality of the world seems to be taken away, that I really…” quote by Brian Evenson
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“I don't always know what's going to go on in terms of the mood of the story. Sometimes I start with the mood, but sometimes I just try to work toward discovering it. But I do think often there's a mood or unsettling quality, in which the reality of the world seems to be taken away, that I really love, and it's something that I almost always unconsciously move toward.”

Brian Evenson

About This Quote

Source Interview: The Paris Review, 2018

The writer seeks a mood that unsettles reality, drawing toward narratives that feel otherworldly and uncanny.

In simple terms: Chasing unsettling moods in stories.

Key Takeaway

Explore ambiguous, eerie atmospheres.

Themes

literature atmosphere uncanny exploration

Mood

haunting provocative

Type

artistic philosophical

When to use this quote

  • fiction writing
  • film direction
  • artistic experimentation
  • thematic research

Key Concepts

psychological tension existential doubt

Questions to Reflect On

  • What emotions does this mood evoke?
  • How do you balance unease with engagement?
A Different Perspective

Such moods may alienate some audiences.

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