--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think you have to love the characters…" description: "\"I think you have to love the characters that you write. I don't know how you could possibly write a TV show where you didn't love the characters.\" — El..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/365/elizabeth-meriwether-20318_characters_i-think-you-have-to-love-the-characters_2084945.png" --- # I think you have to love the characters that you write. I… ![“I think you have to love the characters that you write. I don't know how you could possibly write a TV show where you didn't love the characters.” quote by Elizabeth Meriwether](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/365/elizabeth-meriwether-20318_characters_i-think-you-have-to-love-the-characters_2084945.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/365/elizabeth-meriwether-20318_characters_i-think-you-have-to-love-the-characters_2084945.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/365/elizabeth-meriwether-20318_characters_i-think-you-have-to-love-the-characters_2084945.png) > “I think you have to love the characters that you write. I don't know how you could possibly write a TV show where you didn't love the characters.” [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. Writers must feel genuine affection for their characters to create compelling stories. **In simple terms:** Love your characters to write well. Key Takeaway Cultivate empathy for your creations. Themes writing character development authenticity Mood reflective inspired Type advice creative When to use this quote - screenwriting - novel writing - character workshops Key Concepts empathy creative connection Questions to Reflect On - Do you truly understand your characters? - How does love affect narrative depth? A Different Perspective If you dislike a character, the story suffers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Characters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characters/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I love all the characters I write.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-krishna-acharya/i-love-all-the-characters-i-write/) [Vijay Krishna Acharya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-krishna-acharya/) > [I'm not a writer. I'm not smart. I couldn't possibly even write my own story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoey-deutch/i-m-not-a-writer-i-m-not-smart-i-couldn-t-possibly-even-write-my-own/) [Zoey Deutch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoey-deutch/) > [ Now that I've got a way in \[to the industry\] - because it can feel a bit like, "How can I possibly write a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-donoghue/now-that-i-ve-got-a-way-in-to-the-industry-because-it-can-feel-a-bit/) [Emma Donoghue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-donoghue/) > [Writing is a business and should be practiced as such. On days when you think you can’t possibly write a line you do it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/writing-is-a-business-and-should-be-practiced-as-such-on-days-when/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think if you're writing from the heart, very often, the subject matter will adjust as you age... but you try to write the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerry-beckley/i-think-if-you-re-writing-from-the-heart-very-often-the-subject/) [Gerry Beckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerry-beckley/) > [I suppose ever since I was about 14, I remember listening to "Sgt. Pepper's," and I remember thinking, "how do you possibly write songs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-hay/i-suppose-ever-since-i-was-about-14-i-remember-listening-to-sgt/) [Colin Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-hay/) > [One thing I like about trying to write is that I can possibly write myself a role. Otherwise, you're at the mercy of whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-cardellini/one-thing-i-like-about-trying-to-write-is-that-i-can-possibly-write/) [Linda Cardellini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-cardellini/) > [If you want to do this - either write for TV, or write books - the first thing you have to do is write…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-lieb/if-you-want-to-do-this-either-write-for-tv-or-write-books-the-first/) [Josh Lieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-lieb/) > [I have tried many times to write a TV sitcom - with little success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-holland/i-have-tried-many-times-to-write-a-tv-sitcom-with-little-success/) [Dominic Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-holland/) > [I tried to write a TV series, and then I discovered first of all that I love writing more than anything on this earth,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joss-whedon/i-tried-to-write-a-tv-series-and-then-i-discovered-first-of-all-that/) [Joss Whedon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-whedon/) > [I wanted to write for TV and I wanted to write for film. But I had no idea how to do any of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julio-torres/i-wanted-to-write-for-tv-and-i-wanted-to-write-for-film-but-i-had-no/) [Julio Torres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julio-torres/) > [I didn't know I was going to write for TV until I was suddenly writing for TV, so that kind of stuff can bewilder…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michaela-coel/i-didn-t-know-i-was-going-to-write-for-tv-until-i-was-suddenly/) [Michaela Coel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michaela-coel/) > [When I create and write for TV, I build universes that will have arcs lasting seasons, whereas theatre allows me to explore storylines that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colman-domingo/when-i-create-and-write-for-tv-i-build-universes-that-will-have-arcs/) [Colman Domingo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colman-domingo/) > [We've always dreamt of a TV series and working in film. When we first sat down to seriously write 'A Little Nightmare Music,' to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleksey-igudesman/we-ve-always-dreamt-of-a-tv-series-and-working-in-film-when-we-first/) [Aleksey Igudesman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleksey-igudesman/) > [I can't listen to anything when I write, not even the TV. I do have to listen to music when I drive, though.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-mclaughlin/i-can-t-listen-to-anything-when-i-write-not-even-the-tv-i-do-have-to/) [Emma McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-mclaughlin/) ## More by Elizabeth Meriwether > [I think a lot of the romantic comedies need to catch up with what's actually kind of happening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-meriwether/i-think-a-lot-of-the-romantic-comedies-need-to-catch-up-with-what-s/) [Elizabeth Meriwether](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-meriwether/) > [Funny women are honest women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-meriwether/funny-women-are-honest-women/) [Elizabeth Meriwether](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-meriwether/) > [There are a lot of women screenwriters, but they are obviously outnumbered by men. And it still is a very much male-dominated industry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-meriwether/there-are-a-lot-of-women-screenwriters-but-they-are-obviously/) [Elizabeth Meriwether](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-meriwether/) > [I was really freaked out when I heard that Cookie Monster was going to be changed to Veggie Monster, but that turned out to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-meriwether/i-was-really-freaked-out-when-i-heard-that-cookie-monster-was-going/) [Elizabeth Meriwether](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-meriwether/) > [Why do British people make such good TV? It's so annoying. Stop it. Is it because they have free health care? Uggh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-meriwether/why-do-british-people-make-such-good-tv-it-s-so-annoying-stop-it-is/) [Elizabeth Meriwether](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-meriwether/) > [In a show that has so many neurotic, broken beta characters, it's always fun to bring in a character who's really confident in themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-meriwether/in-a-show-that-has-so-many-neurotic-broken-beta-characters-it-s/) [Elizabeth Meriwether](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-meriwether/) > [But, yes, I learned everything working in theater. I learned the importance of community - I was constantly going to play readings, stand-up nights,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-meriwether/but-yes-i-learned-everything-working-in-theater-i-learned-the/) [Elizabeth Meriwether](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-meriwether/) > [I just want to keep writing characters who are interesting and complicated people and interesting roles for women, in TV or film or in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-meriwether/i-just-want-to-keep-writing-characters-who-are-interesting-and/) [Elizabeth Meriwether](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-meriwether/) > [I think so much of writing is an instinct, or a feel for a scene, or a feel for a character. You have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-meriwether/i-think-so-much-of-writing-is-an-instinct-or-a-feel-for-a-scene-or-a/) [Elizabeth Meriwether](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-meriwether/) > [I don't think anyone who runs a TV show would ever say to you, 'I have a grasp on running a TV show.' Maybe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-meriwether/i-don-t-think-anyone-who-runs-a-tv-show-would-ever-say-to-you-i-have/) [Elizabeth Meriwether](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-meriwether/) > [I love that song 'I Could Have Danced All Night' from 'My Fair Lady' so much. I love that song because watching it as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-meriwether/i-love-that-song-i-could-have-danced-all-night-from-my-fair-lady-so/) [Elizabeth Meriwether](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-meriwether/) > [Every day, I learn something new. I think one of the most exciting things for a writer is to work on a TV show.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-meriwether/every-day-i-learn-something-new-i-think-one-of-the-most-exciting/) [Elizabeth Meriwether](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-meriwether/) > [Please God, I hope my experience in downtown theater isn't over, because I'd love to keep making weird plays. I can't wait for Charles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-meriwether/please-god-i-hope-my-experience-in-downtown-theater-isn-t-over/) [Elizabeth Meriwether](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-meriwether/) > [I started out wanting to be an actor and I like to give actors as much as possible. I love writing stuff where they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-meriwether/i-started-out-wanting-to-be-an-actor-and-i-like-to-give-actors-as/) [Elizabeth Meriwether](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-meriwether/) > [I think in a lot of romantic comedies it ends with a kiss, and I feel like in modern day relationships, and maybe just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-meriwether/i-think-in-a-lot-of-romantic-comedies-it-ends-with-a-kiss-and-i-feel/) [Elizabeth Meriwether](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-meriwether/) [Explore all 31 Elizabeth Meriwether quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-meriwether/) ## More Characters quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [I'm not a huge social media kind of guy, so I don't really know, I don't really ever get... at least in real life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-stroma/i-m-not-a-huge-social-media-kind-of-guy-so-i-don-t-really-know-i-don/) [Freddie Stroma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-stroma/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [I'm writing about real things. Real people. Real characters. You have to believe what I write about is true or you wouldn't pay any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/i-m-writing-about-real-things-real-people-real-characters-you-have-to/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [Since I don't outline my books very much, I feel like sometimes I don't have a choice in what the characters do; they just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-todd/since-i-don-t-outline-my-books-very-much-i-feel-like-sometimes-i-don/) [Anna Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-todd/) > [I'm truly, 100% guided by the characters and my Muse. If one of the characters suddenly decided to do something very different, I'd just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lori-foster/i-m-truly-100-guided-by-the-characters-and-my-muse-if-one-of-the/) [Lori Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lori-foster/) > [I have played several characters that are crabby and cranky. I don't know if I'm just not a very well-developed human being or if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-greer/i-have-played-several-characters-that-are-crabby-and-cranky-i-don-t/) [Judy Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-greer/) > [You do get fond of your characters. Handing them on is like giving a child to a nanny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-fellowes/you-do-get-fond-of-your-characters-handing-them-on-is-like-giving-a/) [Julian Fellowes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-fellowes/) > [Your job as a writer is to find storylines, narrative structures, and characters to show the things that you believe rather than saying them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philipp-meyer/your-job-as-a-writer-is-to-find-storylines-narrative-structures-and/) [Philipp Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philipp-meyer/) > [Being of Indian heritage is a challenge - and it's a blessing as well sometimes - because being good isn't good enough. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sacha-dhawan/being-of-indian-heritage-is-a-challenge-and-it-s-a-blessing-as-well/) [Sacha Dhawan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sacha-dhawan/) > [On the stage, the characters express themselves more through words than images. So the arguments of the characters and the tension between characters -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/on-the-stage-the-characters-express-themselves-more-through-words/) [Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/) > [I really like all of the characters in 'The Secret History' by Donna Tartt, especially Camilla, the one girl. I find her fascinating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-murray/i-really-like-all-of-the-characters-in-the-secret-history-by-donna/) [Hannah Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-murray/) > [I've just always loved really good projects. The things that draw me into a new project have very little to do with genre and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel-staite/i-ve-just-always-loved-really-good-projects-the-things-that-draw-me/) [Jewel Staite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel-staite/) > [“Take care of your costume and your confidence will take care of itself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/take-care-of-your-costume-and-your-confidence-will-take-care-of-itself/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [I always wanted to be a fireman, a cop, an Indian chief, a doctor, a lawyer. I always wanted to be all these things,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morgan-freeman/i-always-wanted-to-be-a-fireman-a-cop-an-indian-chief-a-doctor-a/) [Morgan Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morgan-freeman/) [Browse all 3,066 Characters quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characters/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think you have to love the characters that you write. 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