--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A cardinal rule of writing is never…" description: "\"A cardinal rule of writing is never interrupt yourself to explain something. If you must bring up an obscure topic, drop informative hints about it as ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/696/florence-king-2603_cardinal-rules_a-cardinal-rule-of-writing-is-never-inte_1785777.jpg" --- # A cardinal rule of writing is never interrupt yourself to… ![“A cardinal rule of writing is never interrupt yourself to explain something. If you must bring up an obscure topic, drop informative hints about it as you go along so that you don't end up with the entire explanation all in one place. This keeps you from skidding to a stop and sounding teacherish…” quote by Florence King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/696/florence-king-2603_cardinal-rules_a-cardinal-rule-of-writing-is-never-inte_1785777.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/696/florence-king-2603_cardinal-rules_a-cardinal-rule-of-writing-is-never-inte_1785777.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/696/florence-king-2603_cardinal-rules_a-cardinal-rule-of-writing-is-never-inte_1785777.jpg) > “A cardinal rule of writing is never interrupt yourself to explain something. If you must bring up an obscure topic, drop informative hints about it as you go along so that you don't end up with the entire explanation all in one place. This keeps you from skidding to a stop and sounding teacherish. Otherwise it's better to omit the obscure topic altogether, or as mothers might put it: if you can't say it interestingly, don't say it at all.” [Florence King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-king/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Effective writing avoids long, forced explanations; instead, weave subtle hints into the narrative to maintain flow and avoid sounding didactic. **In simple terms:** Explain subtly, not all at once. Key Takeaway Integrate hints naturally. Themes writing clarity engagement Mood thoughtful focused Type instructional advisory When to use this quote - novel writing - blog posts - technical manuals - teaching - public speaking Key Concepts Narrative pacing audience awareness Questions to Reflect On - How can you test if a hint is clear? - When should you cut a digression? A Different Perspective If the hint is too obscure, it may confuse readers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cardinal rules](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cardinal-rules/) [Cardinals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cardinals/) [Ends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ends/) [Explanation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/explanation/) [Hints](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hints/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Informative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/informative/) [Interrupt Explain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interrupt-explain-1901878/) [Might](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/might/) [Mother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mother/) [Obscure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obscure/) [Obscure Topic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obscure-topic-1901879/) [Omit Obscure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/omit-obscure-1901881/) [Topics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/topics/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Writing Interrupt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-interrupt-1901880/) ## Related quotes > [Maybe it's just, I've always been to the less traveled places, in any topic, whether it's history, I always like to just choose the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-bird/maybe-it-s-just-i-ve-always-been-to-the-less-traveled-places-in-any/) [Andrew Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-bird/) > [In the casino, the cardinal rule is to keep them playing and to keep them coming back. The longer they play, the more they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-de-niro/in-the-casino-the-cardinal-rule-is-to-keep-them-playing-and-to-keep/) [Robert De Niro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-de-niro/) > [The very first as a cardinal rule for a person to build trust is to do must only that what is humanly just as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anuj/the-very-first-as-a-cardinal-rule-for-a-person-to-build-trust-is-to/) [Anuj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anuj/) > [There are three cardinal rules - don't take somebody else's boyfriend unless you've been specifically invited to do so, don't take a drink without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-h-auden/there-are-three-cardinal-rules-don-t-take-somebody-else-s-boyfriend/) [W. H. Auden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-h-auden/) > [To me, the "tape" is the final arbiter of any investment decision. I have a cardinal rule: Never fight the tape!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-zweig/to-me-the-tape-is-the-final-arbiter-of-any-investment-decision-i-have/) [Martin Zweig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-zweig/) > [There is only one cardinal rule: One must always listen to the patient.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-sacks/there-is-only-one-cardinal-rule-one-must-always-listen-to-the-patient/) [Oliver Sacks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-sacks/) > [Don't compare yourself to others you have no idea what their journey is all about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dawn-abraham/don-t-compare-yourself-to-others-you-have-no-idea-what-their-journey/) [Dawn Abraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dawn-abraham/) > [A cardinal rule of bureaucracy is that it is better to extend an error than to admit a mistake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-greenwood/a-cardinal-rule-of-bureaucracy-is-that-it-is-better-to-extend-an/) [Colin Greenwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-greenwood/) > [There's a cardinal rule that you don't talk about sharks. If you don't see it, it's not there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-warkentin/there-s-a-cardinal-rule-that-you-don-t-talk-about-sharks-if-you-don-t/) [Mark Warkentin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-warkentin/) > [The primary duty of an exception handler is to get the error out of the lap of the programmer and into the surprised face…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/verity-stob/the-primary-duty-of-an-exception-handler-is-to-get-the-error-out-of/) [Verity Stob](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/verity-stob/) > [Fortunately, I knew the cardinal rule of getting on with one's fellow cooks. It applies in any kitchen and can be summed up in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-p-pin/fortunately-i-knew-the-cardinal-rule-of-getting-on-with-one-s-fellow-2/) [Jacques Pepin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-p-pin/) > [It is no coincidence that one cardinal rule in brainwashing is to remove from the victim all photographs of himself and people he has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-d-coleman/it-is-no-coincidence-that-one-cardinal-rule-in-brainwashing-is-to/) [A. D. Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-d-coleman/) > [I made up my mind long ago to follow one cardinal rule in all my writing — to be clear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-asimov/i-made-up-my-mind-long-ago-to-follow-one-cardinal-rule-in-all-my/) [Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/) > [The cardinal rule for hosting the Miss USA and Miss Universe beauty pageants is to expect the unexpected.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-barker/the-cardinal-rule-for-hosting-the-miss-usa-and-miss-universe-beauty/) [Bob Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-barker/) > [Attention must be paid’ is the cardinal rule of design discipline, for the designer is above all someone who pays attention to the situation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-caplan/attention-must-be-paid-is-the-cardinal-rule-of-design-discipline-for/) [Ralph Caplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-caplan/) ## More by Florence King > [“Feminists will not be satisfied until every abortion is performed by a gay black doctor under an endangered tree on a reservation for handicapped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-king/feminists-will-not-be-satisfied-until-every-abortion-is-performed-by/) [Florence King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-king/) > [People are so busy dreaming the American Dream, fantasizing about what they could be or have a right to be, that they're all asleep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-king/people-are-so-busy-dreaming-the-american-dream-fantasizing-about-what/) [Florence King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-king/) > [In its purest sense, nicknaming is an elitist ritual practiced by those who cherish hierarchy. For preppies it's a smoke signal that allows Bunny…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-king/in-its-purest-sense-nicknaming-is-an-elitist-ritual-practiced-by/) [Florence King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-king/) > [In the last few years, race relations in America have entered upon a period of intensified craziness wherein fear of being called a racist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-king/in-the-last-few-years-race-relations-in-america-have-entered-upon-a/) [Florence King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-king/) > [“For a girl gone wrong, you can't beat the banks of the Wabash.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-king/for-a-girl-gone-wrong-you-can-t-beat-the-banks-of-the-wabash/) [Florence King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-king/) > [A man should never apologize!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-king/a-man-should-never-apologize/) [Florence King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-king/) > [He travels fastest who travels alone, and that goes double for she. Real feminism is spinsterhood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-king/he-travels-fastest-who-travels-alone-and-that-goes-double-for-she/) [Florence King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-king/) > [to a Southerner it is faux pas, not sins, that matter in this world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-king/to-a-southerner-it-is-faux-pas-not-sins-that-matter-in-this-world/) [Florence King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-king/) > [If you ever meet someone who cannot understand why solitary confinement is considered punishment, you have met a misanthrope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-king/if-you-ever-meet-someone-who-cannot-understand-why-solitary/) [Florence King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-king/) > [No matter which sex I went to bed with, I never smoked on the street](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-king/no-matter-which-sex-i-went-to-bed-with-i-never-smoked-on-the-street/) [Florence King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-king/) > [Hereditary monarchy offers numerous advantages for America. It is the only form of government able to unify a heterogeneous people. Thanks to centuries of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-king/hereditary-monarchy-offers-numerous-advantages-for-america-it-is-the/) [Florence King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-king/) > [Resistance to team play seemed to pour like wet cement through my bones, displacing supple marrow, until I was ballasted with my own contempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-king/resistance-to-team-play-seemed-to-pour-like-wet-cement-through-my/) [Florence King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-king/) > [In Mississippi the important thing is hooch, not bar equipment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-king/in-mississippi-the-important-thing-is-hooch-not-bar-equipment/) [Florence King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-king/) > [Writers, not psychiatrists, are the true interpreters of the human mind and heart, and we have been at it for a very long time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-king/writers-not-psychiatrists-are-the-true-interpreters-of-the-human-mind/) [Florence King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-king/) > [Showing up at school already able to read is like showing up at the undertaker's already embalmed: people start worrying about being put out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-king/showing-up-at-school-already-able-to-read-is-like-showing-up-at-the/) [Florence King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-king/) [Explore all 158 Florence King quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-king/) ## More Cardinal rules quotes > [In the casino, the cardinal rule is to keep them playing and to keep them coming back. The longer they play, the more they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-de-niro/in-the-casino-the-cardinal-rule-is-to-keep-them-playing-and-to-keep/) [Robert De Niro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-de-niro/) > [The cardinal rule for hosting the Miss USA and Miss Universe beauty pageants is to expect the unexpected.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-barker/the-cardinal-rule-for-hosting-the-miss-usa-and-miss-universe-beauty/) [Bob Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-barker/) > [I made up my mind long ago to follow one cardinal rule in all my writing — to be clear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-asimov/i-made-up-my-mind-long-ago-to-follow-one-cardinal-rule-in-all-my/) [Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/) > [It is no coincidence that one cardinal rule in brainwashing is to remove from the victim all photographs of himself and people he has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-d-coleman/it-is-no-coincidence-that-one-cardinal-rule-in-brainwashing-is-to/) [A. D. Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-d-coleman/) > [Fortunately, I knew the cardinal rule of getting on with one's fellow cooks. It applies in any kitchen and can be summed up in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-p-pin/fortunately-i-knew-the-cardinal-rule-of-getting-on-with-one-s-fellow-2/) [Jacques Pepin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-p-pin/) > [The primary duty of an exception handler is to get the error out of the lap of the programmer and into the surprised face…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/verity-stob/the-primary-duty-of-an-exception-handler-is-to-get-the-error-out-of/) [Verity Stob](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/verity-stob/) > [There's a cardinal rule that you don't talk about sharks. If you don't see it, it's not there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-warkentin/there-s-a-cardinal-rule-that-you-don-t-talk-about-sharks-if-you-don-t/) [Mark Warkentin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-warkentin/) > [A cardinal rule of bureaucracy is that it is better to extend an error than to admit a mistake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-greenwood/a-cardinal-rule-of-bureaucracy-is-that-it-is-better-to-extend-an/) [Colin Greenwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-greenwood/) > [Don't compare yourself to others you have no idea what their journey is all about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dawn-abraham/don-t-compare-yourself-to-others-you-have-no-idea-what-their-journey/) [Dawn Abraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dawn-abraham/) > [There is only one cardinal rule: One must always listen to the patient.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-sacks/there-is-only-one-cardinal-rule-one-must-always-listen-to-the-patient/) [Oliver Sacks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-sacks/) > [To me, the "tape" is the final arbiter of any investment decision. I have a cardinal rule: Never fight the tape!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-zweig/to-me-the-tape-is-the-final-arbiter-of-any-investment-decision-i-have/) [Martin Zweig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-zweig/) > [There are three cardinal rules - don't take somebody else's boyfriend unless you've been specifically invited to do so, don't take a drink without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-h-auden/there-are-three-cardinal-rules-don-t-take-somebody-else-s-boyfriend/) [W. H. Auden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-h-auden/) > [The very first as a cardinal rule for a person to build trust is to do must only that what is humanly just as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anuj/the-very-first-as-a-cardinal-rule-for-a-person-to-build-trust-is-to/) [Anuj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anuj/) > [Attention must be paid’ is the cardinal rule of design discipline, for the designer is above all someone who pays attention to the situation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-caplan/attention-must-be-paid-is-the-cardinal-rule-of-design-discipline-for/) [Ralph Caplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-caplan/) > [One cardinal rule in behavioral medicine is that unless it is interfered with, your body knows exactly what it is doing and always does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-johnson/one-cardinal-rule-in-behavioral-medicine-is-that-unless-it-is/) [Jill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-johnson/) [Browse all 28 Cardinal rules quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cardinal-rules/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A cardinal rule of writing is never interrupt yourself to explain something. 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