Books Quote by Catherine Drinker Bowen
““Writers seldom choose as friends those self-centered characters who are never in trouble, never make mistakes, and always count their change as it is handed to them.””
About This Quote
Source Book: “The Art of Fiction” (1950)
Writers often avoid self‑absorbed characters who never face trouble or make mistakes.
In simple terms: Flawed characters make stories compelling.
Key Takeaway
Create realistic, imperfect characters.
Themes
writing
character development
flaws
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
literary
educational
When to use this quote
- novel drafting
- screenwriting workshops
- character sketches
Key Concepts
self‑centered protagonists
conflict avoidance
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you give characters meaningful challenges?
- What makes a character relatable?
A Different Perspective
Avoiding flaws can lead to bland narratives.
