--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think in telling a good story there has…" description: "\"I think in telling a good story there has to be ups and downs with any character, and you can't just have everything go swimmingly and you can't just h..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c3/chris-sullivan-11700_character_i-think-in-telling-a-good-story-there-ha_3034806.jpg" --- # I think in telling a good story there has to be ups and… ![“I think in telling a good story there has to be ups and downs with any character, and you can't just have everything go swimmingly and you can't just have characters who are supposed to be in a romantic relationship just getting into an argument every episode.” quote by Chris Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c3/chris-sullivan-11700_character_i-think-in-telling-a-good-story-there-ha_3034806.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c3/chris-sullivan-11700_character_i-think-in-telling-a-good-story-there-ha_3034806.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c3/chris-sullivan-11700_character_i-think-in-telling-a-good-story-there-ha_3034806.jpg) > “I think in telling a good story there has to be ups and downs with any character, and you can't just have everything go swimmingly and you can't just have characters who are supposed to be in a romantic relationship just getting into an argument every episode.” [Chris Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sullivan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A good story needs varied emotional beats; constant conflict or constant harmony feels unrealistic. **In simple terms:** Stories require ups and downs for believable characters. Key Takeaway Include both tension and resolution. Themes storytelling character development conflict narrative structure drama Mood reflective creative instructive Type educational inspirational When to use this quote - scriptwriting - TV series development - character arcs Key Concepts plot dynamics emotional arcs character motivation Questions to Reflect On - What balance of conflict keeps viewers engaged? - How do you resolve tension without losing momentum? A Different Perspective Too much conflict can alienate audiences; too little can bore them. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Good story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-story/) [Relationship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relationship/) [Romantic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/romantic/) [Romantic relationship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/romantic-relationship/) [Ups and downs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ups-and-downs/) ## Related quotes > [My story is one of ups and downs. It's made up of tastes of success and a lot more rejection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iskra-lawrence/my-story-is-one-of-ups-and-downs-it-s-made-up-of-tastes-of-success/) [Iskra Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iskra-lawrence/) > [It doesn't matter if these characters are supposed to be together forever: if their chemistry gets stale, you want somebody to die, you want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-plec/it-doesn-t-matter-if-these-characters-are-supposed-to-be-together/) [Julie Plec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-plec/) > [Even when the characters are supposed to be accustomed to the wonder, I try to weave an air of awe and impressiveness corresponding to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-p-lovecraft/even-when-the-characters-are-supposed-to-be-accustomed-to-the-wonder/) [H. P. Lovecraft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-p-lovecraft/) > [I think the characters are supposed to be an open book, blank canvas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-think-the-characters-are-supposed-to-be-an-open-book-blank-canvas/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [The funniest things just come from honesty. We have a tendency to see female characters as representative of something larger than what they are,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-meriwether/the-funniest-things-just-come-from-honesty-we-have-a-tendency-to-see/) [Elizabeth Meriwether](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-meriwether/) > [They really stay just characters to me. I look at them, and I don't see always the same person up there. And hopefully, people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlize-theron/they-really-stay-just-characters-to-me-i-look-at-them-and-i-don-t-see/) [Charlize Theron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlize-theron/) > [I've always just done characters and solo stuff. Like, before I even started working, that's what I did... I'll just go wig shopping and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cole-escola/i-ve-always-just-done-characters-and-solo-stuff-like-before-i-even/) [Cole Escola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cole-escola/) > [“Sometimes I don't know whether Zelda and I are real or just characters in one of my novels.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/sometimes-i-don-t-know-whether-zelda-and-i-are-real-or-just/) [F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/) > [I find the best way to make things real is to just put two characters into a space and let them talk to each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-knight/i-find-the-best-way-to-make-things-real-is-to-just-put-two-characters/) [Steven Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-knight/) > [I do think people see us on WWE so often as just characters. They forget we have real lives and we go through similar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi/i-do-think-people-see-us-on-wwe-so-often-as-just-characters-they/) [Naomi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi/) > [Once you're involved in the work, it's really just you and the characters and the words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwidge-danticat/once-you-re-involved-in-the-work-it-s-really-just-you-and-the/) [Edwidge Danticat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwidge-danticat/) > [If you go back to the '80s, I didn't really know much about the characters. I knew what they did in the ring. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheamus/if-you-go-back-to-the-80s-i-didn-t-really-know-much-about-the/) [Sheamus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheamus/) > [Much of romantic relationships today have to do when the people are not in the same room. Whether it’s texting or emailing or Facebooking,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-reitman/much-of-romantic-relationships-today-have-to-do-when-the-people-are/) [Ivan Reitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-reitman/) > [I used to do an impersonation of Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage in a romantic relationship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-show/i-used-to-do-an-impersonation-of-hulk-hogan-and-randy-savage-in-a/) [Big Show](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-show/) > [There aren't enough songs about how you feel about your friends. Friendship's far more complicated than a romantic relationship, isn't it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellie-rowsell/there-aren-t-enough-songs-about-how-you-feel-about-your-friends/) [Ellie Rowsell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellie-rowsell/) ## More by Chris Sullivan > [As we've learned on a logistical level, anything is possible in the 'This Is Us' world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sullivan/as-we-ve-learned-on-a-logistical-level-anything-is-possible-in-the/) [Chris Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sullivan/) > [The interesting part about being an artist is that the ways in which you express yourself are not always readily available.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sullivan/the-interesting-part-about-being-an-artist-is-that-the-ways-in-which/) [Chris Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sullivan/) > [Everybody has to take curveballs as they come in life and hopefully have the ability to adjust their plans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sullivan/everybody-has-to-take-curveballs-as-they-come-in-life-and-hopefully/) [Chris Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sullivan/) > [Our hair and makeup team at 'This Is Us' had made me a mohawk to wear. I couldn't apply it correctly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sullivan/our-hair-and-makeup-team-at-this-is-us-had-made-me-a-mohawk-to-wear-i/) [Chris Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sullivan/) > [Frugality was my side hustle. I was really good at it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sullivan/frugality-was-my-side-hustle-i-was-really-good-at-it/) [Chris Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sullivan/) > [I kind of love that British style: two seasons of tight, compact, good television. The more episodes you have, the thinner the episodes get.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sullivan/i-kind-of-love-that-british-style-two-seasons-of-tight-compact-good/) [Chris Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sullivan/) > [Romance means making yourself vulnerable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sullivan/romance-means-making-yourself-vulnerable/) [Chris Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sullivan/) > [The interesting thing about depression and anxiety is that, it's not always wholly negative things that bring them on. Often times, those heavy swings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sullivan/the-interesting-thing-about-depression-and-anxiety-is-that-it-s-not/) [Chris Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sullivan/) > [I joke that the beard does 40 percent of the job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sullivan/i-joke-that-the-beard-does-40-percent-of-the-job/) [Chris Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sullivan/) > [I've always dressed very loudly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sullivan/i-ve-always-dressed-very-loudly/) [Chris Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sullivan/) > [Michael Rooker is like the Merle Haggard of the acting world. Never a dull moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sullivan/michael-rooker-is-like-the-merle-haggard-of-the-acting-world-never-a/) [Chris Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sullivan/) > [Making a killer breakfast burrito? I got game. Washing the car? Love it. Doing the dishes? I love it more than washing the car.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sullivan/making-a-killer-breakfast-burrito-i-got-game-washing-the-car-love-it/) [Chris Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sullivan/) > [Generally speaking, talk to any stand-up comedian, the people in this world who are the brightest and have the biggest smile often are struggling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sullivan/generally-speaking-talk-to-any-stand-up-comedian-the-people-in-this/) [Chris Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sullivan/) > [You can't develop full relationships with anybody unless you're fully honest about who you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sullivan/you-can-t-develop-full-relationships-with-anybody-unless-you-re-fully/) [Chris Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sullivan/) > [The experience with 'The Knick' is a singular experience. That experience taught me a lot about acting and about being on camera for extended…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sullivan/the-experience-with-the-knick-is-a-singular-experience-that/) [Chris Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sullivan/) [Explore all 58 Chris Sullivan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sullivan/) ## More Character quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/) [Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/) > [When you're on a daytime drama you get one page, you better damn well know your character. You better know what she would do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hudgins/when-you-re-on-a-daytime-drama-you-get-one-page-you-better-damn-well/) David Hudgins > [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/) [Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/) > [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [In the fight between biology and morality, biology has commonly won in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/semir-zeki/in-the-fight-between-biology-and-morality-biology-has-commonly-won-in/) [Semir Zeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/semir-zeki/) > [Your looks don't make you pretty, it's the person inside who makes you pretty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-chan/your-looks-don-t-make-you-pretty-it-s-the-person-inside-who-makes-you/) [Aaron Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-chan/) > [I'm not a huge social media kind of guy, so I don't really know, I don't really ever get... at least in real life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-stroma/i-m-not-a-huge-social-media-kind-of-guy-so-i-don-t-really-know-i-don/) [Freddie Stroma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-stroma/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) [Browse all 32,707 Character quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think in telling a good story there has to be ups and downs with any character, and you can't just have everything go swimmingly and you can't just have characters who are supposed to be in a romantic relationship just getting into an argument every episode.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Chris Sullivan" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sullivan/i-think-in-telling-a-good-story-there-has-to-be-ups-and-downs-with/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Character" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sullivan/i-think-in-telling-a-good-story-there-has-to-be-ups-and-downs-with/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c3/chris-sullivan-11700_character_i-think-in-telling-a-good-story-there-ha_3034806.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c3/chris-sullivan-11700_character_i-think-in-telling-a-good-story-there-ha_3034806.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c3/chris-sullivan-11700_character_i-think-in-telling-a-good-story-there-ha_3034806.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I think in telling a good story there has to be ups and downs with any character, and you can't just have…” — Chris Sullivan", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Chris Sullivan", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sullivan/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I think in telling a good...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sullivan/i-think-in-telling-a-good-story-there-has-to-be-ups-and-downs-with/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sullivan/i-think-in-telling-a-good-story-there-has-to-be-ups-and-downs-with/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```