--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I always let the characters guide the…" description: "\"I always let the characters guide the stories. They really let me know what they want to say and what action they want to happen.\" — Ellen Schreiber" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c07/ellen-schreiber-9915_action_i-always-let-the-characters-guide-the-st_2544959.jpg" --- # I always let the characters guide the stories. They really… ![“I always let the characters guide the stories. They really let me know what they want to say and what action they want to happen.” quote by Ellen Schreiber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c07/ellen-schreiber-9915_action_i-always-let-the-characters-guide-the-st_2544959.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c07/ellen-schreiber-9915_action_i-always-let-the-characters-guide-the-st_2544959.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c07/ellen-schreiber-9915_action_i-always-let-the-characters-guide-the-st_2544959.jpg) > “I always let the characters guide the stories. They really let me know what they want to say and what action they want to happen.” [Ellen Schreiber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-schreiber/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writers should trust characters' internal logic to shape plot, allowing authentic narrative direction. **In simple terms:** Let characters drive the story. Key Takeaway Listen to your characters. Themes creativity storytelling character development Mood reflective inspirational Type advice creative When to use this quote - novel writing - screenwriting - roleplaying games Key Concepts narrative authenticity character agency Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance character impulses with story structure? - When should you override a character? A Different Perspective Characters may be inconsistent, requiring careful editing. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) ## Related quotes > [“Let your characters lead when you're dancing together.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caron-kamps-widden/let-your-characters-lead-when-you-re-dancing-together/) Caron Kamps Widden > [“You create your characters, set things in motion, and then let those characters and the situations they encounter tell you how they’re going to end up.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laird-barron/you-create-your-characters-set-things-in-motion-and-then-let-those/) [Laird Barron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-barron/) > [“If I had a clear vision, none of my books would be what they are. I've got to let the characters show me the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shandy-l-kurth/if-i-had-a-clear-vision-none-of-my-books-would-be-what-they-are-i-ve/) [Shandy L. Kurth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shandy-l-kurth/) > [Let your characters talk to each other and do things. Spend time with them - they'll tell you who they are and what they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-gerwig/let-your-characters-talk-to-each-other-and-do-things-spend-time-with/) [Greta Gerwig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-gerwig/) > [“I've learned to let my characters speak and act the way they want to! I've tried to interfere but they just get angry at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shandy-l-kurth/i-ve-learned-to-let-my-characters-speak-and-act-the-way-they-want-to/) [Shandy L. Kurth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shandy-l-kurth/) > [I let my characters do the talking, simple as that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mcmillan/i-let-my-characters-do-the-talking-simple-as-that/) [Terry McMillan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mcmillan/) > [I let characters be human and flawed and relatable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-sheridan/i-let-characters-be-human-and-flawed-and-relatable/) [Taylor Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-sheridan/) > [What I've learnt from 'Friends' is don't let the characters get together because then it won't be as good afterwards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-widdicombe/what-i-ve-learnt-from-friends-is-don-t-let-the-characters-get/) [Josh Widdicombe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-widdicombe/) > [People haven't ever seen the real me as I let my characters, their look and my work do the talking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gurmeet-choudhary/people-haven-t-ever-seen-the-real-me-as-i-let-my-characters-their/) [Gurmeet Choudhary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gurmeet-choudhary/) > [I let characters be human and flawed and relatable. When we do things that aren't that great, we can understand it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-sheridan/i-let-characters-be-human-and-flawed-and-relatable-when-we-do-things/) [Taylor Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-sheridan/) > [Its such an egotistical thing to be able to just stand there and say, Action! Its like being a little mini-god.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-helgeland/its-such-an-egotistical-thing-to-be-able-to-just-stand-there-and-say/) [Brian Helgeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-helgeland/) > [Many people always say action speaks louder than words. to my understanding, words speaks than actions.What ever words that proceed from someones mouth is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sessah-odai-sadick/many-people-always-say-action-speaks-louder-than-words-to-my/) [Sessah-Odai Sadick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sessah-odai-sadick/) > [Never lie to me my heart fragile .speak the truth cause the more you lien the more you illsionating me .words do say much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gisel-garcia/never-lie-to-me-my-heart-fragile-speak-the-truth-cause-the-more-you/) [Gisel Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gisel-garcia/) > [When they say 'action,' I am into it completely and forget everything around. When they say 'cut,' I am back to myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nithya-menen/when-they-say-action-i-am-into-it-completely-and-forget-everything/) [Nithya Menen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nithya-menen/) > [I am only an actress when they say, 'action' and I stop being an actress when they say, 'cut'. I am a normal person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paz-vega/i-am-only-an-actress-when-they-say-action-and-i-stop-being-an-actress/) [Paz Vega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paz-vega/) ## More by Ellen Schreiber > [It's not about changing--it's about growing, together," he said, like the wise soul that he was. "I wanted to let you know--that I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-schreiber/it-s-not-about-changing-it-s-about-growing-together-he-said-like-the/) [Ellen Schreiber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-schreiber/) > [Raven! What are you doing up so late? You have school tomorrow!"..."But I thought it was just the one time?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-schreiber/raven-what-are-you-doing-up-so-late-you-have-school-tomorrow-but-i/) [Ellen Schreiber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-schreiber/) > [I hope you enjoyed your visit. You never know. You may want to join forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-schreiber/i-hope-you-enjoyed-your-visit-you-never-know-you-may-want-to-join/) [Ellen Schreiber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-schreiber/) > [“A marriage made in heaven—or in my case, hell.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-schreiber/a-marriage-made-in-heaven-or-in-my-case-hell/) [Ellen Schreiber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-schreiber/) > [I want a relationship I can finally sink my teeth into.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-schreiber/i-want-a-relationship-i-can-finally-sink-my-teeth-into/) [Ellen Schreiber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-schreiber/) > [Go in and get us a shrunken head!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-schreiber/go-in-and-get-us-a-shrunken-head/) [Ellen Schreiber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-schreiber/) > [I'm looking for someone to quench my thirst-for all eternity" -Luna Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-schreiber/i-m-looking-for-someone-to-quench-my-thirst-for-all-eternity-luna/) [Ellen Schreiber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-schreiber/) > [I'm going to a dance." With Becky?" No, with Alexander." Who's Alexander?" The love of my life!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-schreiber/i-m-going-to-a-dance-with-becky-no-with-alexander-who-s-alexander-the/) [Ellen Schreiber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-schreiber/) > [“I think some people call this love. I call it hell.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-schreiber/i-think-some-people-call-this-love-i-call-it-hell/) [Ellen Schreiber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-schreiber/) > [“showing up to school without knowing what classes i'm taking or where the classroom are located. the worst one was showing up for exams…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-schreiber/showing-up-to-school-without-knowing-what-classes-i-m-taking-or-where/) [Ellen Schreiber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-schreiber/) > [Cupid's not the only one with an arrow," I scowled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-schreiber/cupid-s-not-the-only-one-with-an-arrow-i-scowled/) [Ellen Schreiber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-schreiber/) > [Did I hear it's going to be someone's birthday?" a familiar male's voice said from behind me. I didnt even bother turning around and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-schreiber/did-i-hear-it-s-going-to-be-someone-s-birthday-a-familiar-male-s/) [Ellen Schreiber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-schreiber/) > [Trevor was as menacing as he was gorgeous. If he were a vampire, he'd be the dark kind, the kind that sneaks up on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-schreiber/trevor-was-as-menacing-as-he-was-gorgeous-if-he-were-a-vampire-he-d/) [Ellen Schreiber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-schreiber/) > [“I had waited an eternity for this moment. My childhood fantasy was now coming true— I would be a dark angel of the night.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-schreiber/i-had-waited-an-eternity-for-this-moment-my-childhood-fantasy-was-now/) [Ellen Schreiber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-schreiber/) > [Welcome to the Family." - Mrs.Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-schreiber/welcome-to-the-family-mrs-sterling/) [Ellen Schreiber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-schreiber/) [Explore all 69 Ellen Schreiber quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-schreiber/) ## More Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/) [Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/) [Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/) > [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/) [Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/) > [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) [Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I always let the characters guide the stories. 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