--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Years ago I conducted a course in fiction…" description: "\"“Years ago I conducted a course in fiction writing at the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences, and we wanted such distinguished and busy authors as..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/669/dale-carnegie-382_books_years-ago-i-conducted-a-course-in-fictio_1929393.jpg" --- # Years ago I conducted a course in fiction writing at the… ![“Years ago I conducted a course in fiction writing at the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences, and we wanted such distinguished and busy authors as Kathleen Norris, Fannie Hurst, Ida Tarbell, Albert Payson Terhune and Rupert Hughes to come to Brooklyn and give us the benefit of their…” quote by Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/669/dale-carnegie-382_books_years-ago-i-conducted-a-course-in-fictio_1929393.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/669/dale-carnegie-382_books_years-ago-i-conducted-a-course-in-fictio_1929393.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/669/dale-carnegie-382_books_years-ago-i-conducted-a-course-in-fictio_1929393.jpg) > ““Years ago I conducted a course in fiction writing at the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences, and we wanted such distinguished and busy authors as Kathleen Norris, Fannie Hurst, Ida Tarbell, Albert Payson Terhune and Rupert Hughes to come to Brooklyn and give us the benefit of their experiences. So we wrote them, saying we admired their work and were deeply interested in getting their advice and learning the secrets of their success. Each of these letters was signed by about a hundred and fifty students. We said we realized that these authors were busy—too busy to prepare a lecture. So we enclosed a list of questions for them to answer about themselves and their methods of work. They liked that. Who wouldn’t like it? So they left their homes and traveled to Brooklyn to give us a helping hand. By”” [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker describes how they invited prominent authors to share their methods, emphasizing respectful outreach and clear expectations to secure valuable mentorship. **In simple terms:** They got busy writers to help by sending polite, organized requests. Key Takeaway Respectful, organized requests can attract expertise. Themes networking mentorship respect communication Mood appreciative inspirational Type advice educational When to use this quote - writing workshops - academic conferences - professional development - career guidance Key Concepts authorial expertise learning collaboration Questions to Reflect On - How can you tailor requests to busy experts? - What incentives motivate mentors to share knowledge? A Different Perspective Success depends on authors’ willingness and time, not just the request. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Helping hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helping-hand/) ## Related quotes > [I don't think that children, if left to themselves, feel that there is an author behind a book, a somebody who wrote it. Grown-ups…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-l-travers/i-don-t-think-that-children-if-left-to-themselves-feel-that-there-is/) [P. L. Travers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-l-travers/) > [No formal course in fiction-writing can equal a close and observant perusal of the stories of Edgar Allan Poe or Ambrose Bierce.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-p-lovecraft/no-formal-course-in-fiction-writing-can-equal-a-close-and-observant/) [H. P. 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Ask questions that other persons…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/so-if-you-aspire-to-be-a-good-conversationali-st-be-an-attentive/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [...Be grateful for what you have to be thankful for instead of complaining about the little things that annoy you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/be-grateful-for-what-you-have-to-be-thankful-for-instead-of/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [Don't be afraid of enemies who attack you. 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