Books Quote by Flann O'Brien
““Characters should be interchangeable as between one book and another. The entire corpus of existing literature should be regarded as a limbo from which discerning authors could draw their characters as required, creating only when they failed to find a suitable existing puppet. The modern novel should be largely a work of reference. Most authors spend their time saying what has been said before – usually said much better. A wealth of references to existing works would acquaint the reader instantaneously with the nature of each character, would obviate tiresome explanations and would effectively preclude mountebanks, upstarts, thimble-riggers and persons of inferior education from an understanding of contemporary literature.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Irish Times, 1970
A call for authors to reuse existing characters, treating literature as a shared resource to avoid redundant creation and elevate storytelling.
In simple terms: Reuse characters to enrich stories and avoid needless invention.
Key Takeaway
Draw on literary history for richer narratives.
Themes
literature
creativity
intertextuality
efficiency
education
Mood
thoughtful
critical
inquisitive
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- screenwriting
- teaching literature
- publishing
- creative workshops
Key Concepts
character archetypes
shared cultural memory
authorial economy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can writers balance reuse with fresh perspectives?
- What risks arise from over‑reliance on existing characters?
A Different Perspective
May limit originality and lead to derivative works.
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