Being Quote by Eleanor Catton
“Fiction is supposed to be immersive and supposed to be entertaining and narrative, so structures have to be buried a little bit. If they come foregrounded too much, it stops being fiction and starts being poetry - something more concrete and out of time.”
About This Quote
The author argues that fiction should hide its structure, while overt structure turns it into poetry, which is more concrete and timeless.
In simple terms: Fiction hides structure; poetry reveals it.
Key Takeaway
Balance narrative flow and structural clarity.
Themes
literature
structure
genre
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
critical
educational
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
storytelling
poetry
creative writing
Questions to Reflect On
- How much structure serves your story?
- When does structure become a barrier?
A Different Perspective
Over‑emphasis on structure can stifle imagination.
