--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think so much of writing is an…" description: "\"I think so much of writing is an instinct, or a feel for a scene, or a feel for a character. You have to put into words the word 'tone,' which I think ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c1/elizabeth-meriwether-20318_around_i-think-so-much-of-writing-is-an-instinc_932849.jpg" --- # I think so much of writing is an instinct, or a feel for a… ![“I think so much of writing is an instinct, or a feel for a scene, or a feel for a character. You have to put into words the word 'tone,' which I think is thrown around a lot and can mean a hundred different things, but communicating that to other people is definitely a challenge.” quote by Elizabeth Meriwether](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c1/elizabeth-meriwether-20318_around_i-think-so-much-of-writing-is-an-instinc_932849.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c1/elizabeth-meriwether-20318_around_i-think-so-much-of-writing-is-an-instinc_932849.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c1/elizabeth-meriwether-20318_around_i-think-so-much-of-writing-is-an-instinc_932849.jpg) > “I think so much of writing is an instinct, or a feel for a scene, or a feel for a character. You have to put into words the word 'tone,' which I think is thrown around a lot and can mean a hundred different things, but communicating that to other people is definitely a challenge.” [Elizabeth Meriwether](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-meriwether/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writing relies on intuition and feeling for scene and character, while articulating tone is complex and often misused. **In simple terms:** Writing needs instinct and clear tone. Key Takeaway Cultivate intuition, clarify tone. Themes writing intuition tone communication Mood reflective analytical Type advice instructional When to use this quote - novel drafting - screenplay development - editing workshops - teaching writing Key Concepts Narrative voice emotional resonance lexical precision Questions to Reflect On - How do you translate instinct into words? - What strategies help define tone for others? A Different Perspective Tone is subjective; readers may interpret differently. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Challenge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/challenge/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Instinct](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instinct/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Tone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tone/) [Words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I write a lot from instinct. But as you're writing out of instinct, once you reach a certain level as a songwriter, the craft…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janis-ian/i-write-a-lot-from-instinct-but-as-you-re-writing-out-of-instinct/) [Janis Ian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janis-ian/) > [Totally whatever we want to put in there. Then it was really "Now we are going to make it. We really need to find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-elfont/totally-whatever-we-want-to-put-in-there-then-it-was-really-now-we/) [Harry Elfont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-elfont/) > [Nothing you will object to," James replied in a soothing tone. I cannot think how he came to imagine that he would know what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-c-wrede/nothing-you-will-object-to-james-replied-in-a-soothing-tone-i-cannot/) [Patricia C. Wrede](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-c-wrede/) > [Like most art forms, writing is part instinct and part craft. 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