--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This is not a book of writing advice…" description: "\"“This is not a book of writing advice. It’s not here to help make you a better writer. Rather, it’s here to help you become a better storyteller.”\" — C..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/caf/chuck-wendig-5165_book_this-is-not-a-book-of-writing-advice-it_3232810.jpg" --- # This is not a book of writing advice. It’s not here to… ![“This is not a book of writing advice. It’s not here to help make you a better writer. Rather, it’s here to help you become a better storyteller.” quote by Chuck Wendig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/caf/chuck-wendig-5165_book_this-is-not-a-book-of-writing-advice-it_3232810.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/caf/chuck-wendig-5165_book_this-is-not-a-book-of-writing-advice-it_3232810.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/caf/chuck-wendig-5165_book_this-is-not-a-book-of-writing-advice-it_3232810.jpg) > ““This is not a book of writing advice. It’s not here to help make you a better writer. Rather, it’s here to help you become a better storyteller.”” [Chuck Wendig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-wendig/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. It states the book aims to improve storytelling ability rather than technical writing skills. **In simple terms:** Focus on storytelling, not just writing technique. Key Takeaway Prioritize narrative craft over mechanics. Themes storytelling craft learning Mood inspirational encouraging Type educational motivational When to use this quote - novel writing - screenwriting - marketing copy Key Concepts narrative structure character development Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance story and technique? - What makes a story compelling? A Different Perspective Some readers may still seek direct writing advice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Storyteller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/storyteller/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Writing advice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-advice/) ## Related quotes > [I think I've become a better storyteller over the years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wilson/i-think-i-ve-become-a-better-storyteller-over-the-years/) [Steven Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wilson/) > [I consider myself a better storyteller than a Dungeon Master.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-mercer/i-consider-myself-a-better-storyteller-than-a-dungeon-master/) [Matthew Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-mercer/) > [“If you want to become a better writer, you have to write. But you also have to read. One of the things I love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kami-garcia/if-you-want-to-become-a-better-writer-you-have-to-write-but-you-also/) [Kami Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kami-garcia/) > [“10 Steps to Becoming a Better Writer Write. Write more. Write even more. Write even more than that. Write when you don’t want to.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-clark/10-steps-to-becoming-a-better-writer-write-write-more-write-even-more/) Brian Clark > [The writer is a writer because he cannot help it. It is a compulsion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edna-ferber/the-writer-is-a-writer-because-he-cannot-help-it-it-is-a-compulsion/) [Edna Ferber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edna-ferber/) > [The only reason for being a professional writer is that you can't help it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-rosten/the-only-reason-for-being-a-professional-writer-is-that-you-can-t/) [Leo Rosten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-rosten/) > [I think the purpose of the writer is to help us see. The writer is someone who can perhaps have the joy of helping…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eduardo-galeano/i-think-the-purpose-of-the-writer-is-to-help-us-see-the-writer-is/) [Eduardo Galeano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eduardo-galeano/) > [If you are destined to become a writer, you can't help it. If you can help it, you aren't destined to become a writer.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-harington/if-you-are-destined-to-become-a-writer-you-can-t-help-it-if-you-can/) [Donald Harington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-harington/) > [Nothing can injure a man's writing if he's a first-rate writer. If a man is not a first-rate writer, there's not anything can help…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-faulkner/nothing-can-injure-a-man-s-writing-if-he-s-a-first-rate-writer-if-a/) [William Faulkner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-faulkner/) > [You cannot teach creativity - how to become a good writer. But you can help a young writer discover within himself what kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-vargas-llosa/you-cannot-teach-creativity-how-to-become-a-good-writer-but-you-can-2/) [Mario Vargas Llosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-vargas-llosa/) > [So I had a ghostwriter, they call them, or somebody who is an experienced writer, to help. I've got the ideas in my head,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-boxleitner/so-i-had-a-ghostwriter-they-call-them-or-somebody-who-is-an/) [Bruce Boxleitner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-boxleitner/) > [“Question marks are shaped like hooks for a reason: they will hook the reader and drag them deeper into the story”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-wendig/question-marks-are-shaped-like-hooks-for-a-reason-they-will-hook-the/) [Chuck Wendig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-wendig/) > [“Storytellers think they're writing for the audience. They're writing, in a way, to hurt the audience.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-wendig/storytellers-think-they-re-writing-for-the-audience-they-re-writing/) [Chuck Wendig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-wendig/) > [Writing advice is not the product of an equation. "If you do X, then Y will occur" is false in this instance. "If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-wendig/writing-advice-is-not-the-product-of-an-equation-if-you-do-x-then-y/) [Chuck Wendig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-wendig/) > [Question the Chestnuts. Chestnuts: the new name for boobs? No. NO. Why would you even say that? Get your mind out of the gutter.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-wendig/question-the-chestnuts-chestnuts-the-new-name-for-boobs-no-no-why/) [Chuck Wendig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-wendig/) ## More by Chuck Wendig > [You've got all these characters and yet, you're hovering over one character like a fly over a stinky diaper. Realize that you've got a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-wendig/you-ve-got-all-these-characters-and-yet-you-re-hovering-over-one/) [Chuck Wendig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-wendig/) > [When in doubt, the rule of threes is a rule that plays well with all of storytelling. When describing a thing? No more than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-wendig/when-in-doubt-the-rule-of-threes-is-a-rule-that-plays-well-with-all/) [Chuck Wendig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-wendig/) > [“All hail the light, the dark, and the grey.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-wendig/all-hail-the-light-the-dark-and-the-grey/) [Chuck Wendig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-wendig/) > [“Naughty business, this Empire.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-wendig/naughty-business-this-empire/) [Chuck Wendig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-wendig/) > [“Things happen in this life. Sometimes they're good things, and sometimes they're bad things. You have to come to terms with the bad things,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-wendig/things-happen-in-this-life-sometimes-they-re-good-things-and/) [Chuck Wendig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-wendig/) > [“Did you just say shrug instead of actually shrugging?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-wendig/did-you-just-say-shrug-instead-of-actually-shrugging/) [Chuck Wendig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-wendig/) > [“On the worst day of writing, the work is instructive. On the best day, the act is transcendent.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-wendig/on-the-worst-day-of-writing-the-work-is-instructive-on-the-best-day/) [Chuck Wendig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-wendig/) > [“A HUG IS LIKE VIOLENCE MADE OF LOVE.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-wendig/a-hug-is-like-violence-made-of-love/) [Chuck Wendig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-wendig/) > [“Stories have the power to make people feel. To give a shit. To change their opinions. To change the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-wendig/stories-have-the-power-to-make-people-feel-to-give-a-shit-to-change/) [Chuck Wendig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-wendig/) > [“You thought what? That because you’re a nice guy, my panties will just drop because you deserve to have my thighs around your ears?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-wendig/you-thought-what-that-because-you-re-a-nice-guy-my-panties-will-just/) [Chuck Wendig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-wendig/) > [“Today is a day of celebration. We have triumphed over villainy and oppression and have given our Alliance—and the galaxy beyond it—a chance to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-wendig/today-is-a-day-of-celebration-we-have-triumphed-over-villainy-and/) [Chuck Wendig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-wendig/) > [“Write as much as you can. As fast as you can. Finish your shit. Hit your deadlines. Try very hard not to suck.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-wendig/write-as-much-as-you-can-as-fast-as-you-can-finish-your-shit-hit-your/) [Chuck Wendig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-wendig/) > [“everyone likes to be sold easy promises, don’t they?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-wendig/everyone-likes-to-be-sold-easy-promises-don-t-they/) [Chuck Wendig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-wendig/) > [“I would straight up fuck a snowman right now, she says. Just to cool down. - Miriam Black”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-wendig/i-would-straight-up-fuck-a-snowman-right-now-she-says-just-to-cool/) [Chuck Wendig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-wendig/) > [“Writers are made--forged, really, in a kiln of their own madness and insecurities--over the course of many, many moons. The writer you are when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-wendig/writers-are-made-forged-really-in-a-kiln-of-their-own-madness-and/) [Chuck Wendig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-wendig/) [Explore all 102 Chuck Wendig quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-wendig/) ## More Book quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep, I could buy a billion locks and finally read a book in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/if-i-had-a-dollar-for-every-time-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-buy-a/) [Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [The Rosary is the book of the blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/the-rosary-is-the-book-of-the-blind/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [I have many who keep me going, I am very fortunate in this sense. There is nothing like a child who knows more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floyd-cooper/i-have-many-who-keep-me-going-i-am-very-fortunate-in-this-sense-there/) [Floyd Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floyd-cooper/) > [I think books in which people are really happy and things are going well are probably the most challenging novels there are to write,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/i-think-books-in-which-people-are-really-happy-and-things-are-going/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [I don't think I have made as much of my life as I should have. I should have written more books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-m-schlesinger-jr/i-don-t-think-i-have-made-as-much-of-my-life-as-i-should-have-i/) [Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-m-schlesinger-jr/) > [Some books are not read in the right way because they have skipped a stage of opinion, assume a crystallization of information in society…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/some-books-are-not-read-in-the-right-way-because-they-have-skipped-a/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) > [“People talk about books that write themselves, and it's a lie. Books don't write themselves. It takes thought and research and a backache and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/people-talk-about-books-that-write-themselves-and-it-s-a-lie-books/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [There are great books in this world and great worlds in books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-bronte/there-are-great-books-in-this-world-and-great-worlds-in-books/) [Anne Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-bronte/) > [The purpose of this book is to supply, in the form suitable for laymen, guidance in the adoption and execution of an investment policy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-graham/the-purpose-of-this-book-is-to-supply-in-the-form-suitable-for-laymen/) [Benjamin Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-graham/) > [But I think that of all the literature that I studied, the book that did more than any other to fire my enthusiasm was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kwame-nkrumah/but-i-think-that-of-all-the-literature-that-i-studied-the-book-that/) [Kwame Nkrumah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kwame-nkrumah/) > [It's amazing to see things that are suggested in the book fully developed and so brilliantly realized through the artistry of the designers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/it-s-amazing-to-see-things-that-are-suggested-in-the-book-fully/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“But I’ve developed a great reputation for wisdom by ordering more books than I ever had time to read, and reading more books, by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/but-i-ve-developed-a-great-reputation-for-wisdom-by-ordering-more/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) [Browse all 29,378 Book quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“This is not a book of writing advice. 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