Character Quote by Dan Chaon
“I think that the way that I write stories is by instinct. You have some basic ideas - a character, or an image, or a situation that sounds compelling - and then you just feel your way around until you find the edges of your story. It's like going into a dark room... you stumble around until you find the walls and then inch your way to the light switch.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Literary Talk with Dan Chaon, 2020
Writing by instinct means trusting intuition to guide plot and character, using basic ideas as anchors while exploring until the story’s structure emerges.
In simple terms: Instinctive writing follows intuition, using basic ideas as guides.
Key Takeaway
Trust your gut and explore until clarity appears.
Themes
creativity
intuition
process
storytelling
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
Type
process
inspirational
When to use this quote
- novel drafting
- screenwriting
- creative brainstorming
- workshop exercises
Key Concepts
narrative discovery
intuitive development
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance instinct with narrative coherence?
- When does intuition mislead?
A Different Perspective
Instinct can overlook structural weaknesses without deliberate planning.
