Bad writing Quote by Charles Jackson
““Like all his attempts at fiction it would be as personal as a letter—painful to those who knew him, of no interest to those who didn’t; precious or self-pitying in spots, in others too clever for its own good; so packed with Shakespeare that it looked as if he worked with a concordance in his lap; so narcissistic that its final effect would be that of the mirrored room which gives back the same image times without count, or the old Post Toastie box of his boyhood with the fascinating picture of a woman and child holding a Post Toastie box with a picture of a woman and child holding a Post Toastie box with a picture of a woman and child holding—-””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Lost Years, 1975
Critiquing a self‑indulgent, overly literary style that mirrors the author's own narcissism, making it inaccessible.
In simple terms: Overly literary, self‑absorbed writing alienates readers.
Key Takeaway
Avoid self‑indulgence in prose.
Themes
literary style
self‑reflection
accessibility
critique
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- literary criticism
- publishing
Key Concepts
authorial ego
reader engagement
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you prioritize style over clarity?
- How does ego affect storytelling?
A Different Perspective
Complexity can obscure meaning.
