Behinds Quote by George Saunders
“There were several points where I would kind of turn to the book and say, "Get thee behind me." I don't think real novelists do that. But I make a distinction between prose that's very efficiency-minded (like, the minimum I can get away with), versus loosening the screws and letting the words spill out beautifully and so on.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: "The Best American Short Stories 2015" interview, 2015
He contrasts minimalist, efficiency‑driven prose with richer, more expressive writing, suggesting true art requires letting language flow.
In simple terms: Good writing balances efficiency and beauty.
Key Takeaway
Allow words to breathe, not just serve function.
Themes
writing
creativity
efficiency
Mood
contemplative
inspired
Type
literary
reflective
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- editing
- creative workshops
Key Concepts
literary craft
expressiveness
artistic freedom
Questions to Reflect On
- When does editing become harmful?
- How can you nurture expressive prose?
A Different Perspective
Over‑editing can strip a work of its soul.
