--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Now, my novel begins. No, now I begin my…" description: "\"Now, my novel begins. No, now I begin my novel—and yet I cannot decide whether to call myself I or she.\" — Elizabeth Hardwick" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1e/elizabeth-hardwick-10519_begin_now-my-novel-begins-no-now-i-begin-my-no_1111532.png" --- # Now, my novel begins. No, now I begin my novel—and yet I… ![“Now, my novel begins. No, now I begin my novel—and yet I cannot decide whether to call myself I or she.” quote by Elizabeth Hardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1e/elizabeth-hardwick-10519_begin_now-my-novel-begins-no-now-i-begin-my-no_1111532.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1e/elizabeth-hardwick-10519_begin_now-my-novel-begins-no-now-i-begin-my-no_1111532.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f1e/elizabeth-hardwick-10519_begin_now-my-novel-begins-no-now-i-begin-my-no_1111532.png) > “Now, my novel begins. No, now I begin my novel—and yet I cannot decide whether to call myself I or she.” [Elizabeth Hardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-hardwick/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The writer faces identity ambiguity, questioning gendered pronouns as they start their story. **In simple terms:** The author is unsure whether to use “I” or “she”. Key Takeaway Clarify narrative voice early to guide storytelling. Themes identity gender authorship creative process Mood introspective literary Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - writing workshops - personal memoir - fiction drafting - gender studies Key Concepts narrative voice self‑identity literary theory Questions to Reflect On - How does gender influence narrative perspective? - What voice best serves your story? A Different Perspective Pronoun choice may affect reader perception and marketability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel/) ## Related quotes > [ I always begin \[a novel\] with outlines, but they change and so do my endings and beginnings. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sefi-atta/i-always-begin-a-novel-with-outlines-but-they-change-and-so-do-my/) [Sefi Atta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sefi-atta/) > [Before I begin a novel I have a strong sense of at least one central character and how the story begins, and a more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-erickson/before-i-begin-a-novel-i-have-a-strong-sense-of-at-least-one-central/) [Steve Erickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-erickson/) > [A good novel begins with a small question and ends with a bigger one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-fox/a-good-novel-begins-with-a-small-question-and-ends-with-a-bigger-one/) [Paula Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-fox/) > [“The novel begins in a railway station, a locomotive huffs, steam from a piston covers the opening of the chapter, a cloud of smoke…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/italo-calvino/the-novel-begins-in-a-railway-station-a-locomotive-huffs-steam-from-a/) [Italo Calvino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/italo-calvino/) > [The process of writing a novel begins with a pang, a moment of recognition, and a situation, a character, or something you read in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-amis/the-process-of-writing-a-novel-begins-with-a-pang-a-moment-of/) [Martin Amis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-amis/) > [“September 1973, that's where this novel begins. 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