---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Writers seldom choose as friends those…"
description: "\"“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 ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0f/catherine-drinker-bowen-22445_books_writers-seldom-choose-as-friends-those-s_1898976.png"
---

#  Writers seldom choose as friends those self-centered…

![“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.” quote by Catherine Drinker Bowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0f/catherine-drinker-bowen-22445_books_writers-seldom-choose-as-friends-those-s_1898976.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0f/catherine-drinker-bowen-22445_books_writers-seldom-choose-as-friends-those-s_1898976.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0f/catherine-drinker-bowen-22445_books_writers-seldom-choose-as-friends-those-s_1898976.png)

> ““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.””

[Catherine Drinker Bowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-drinker-bowen/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

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.

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