Interesting Quote by George Saunders
“You didn't plan to write a story; it just happened. Well, it could be argued that the next thing you should do is find a hole to dig. Right? So you start digging a hole and then somebody brings a body along and puts it in. That's what a story must feel like to me. It's not that you say, "I want to write a story about a gravedigger." But you're walking along and "I don't know what I'm doing here in this story,' and - boop! a shovel. "Oh, interesting. Ok, what does one do with a shovel? Digs a hole. Why? I don't know yet. Dig the hole! Oh, look a body."”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 2021
Spontaneous storytelling emerges from unexpected events, turning ordinary actions into narrative twists.
In simple terms: Stories arise from random moments that become plot points.
Key Takeaway
Embrace unexpected ideas as story seeds.
Themes
creativity
spontaneity
plot development
Mood
playful
curious
Type
inspirational
creative
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- brainstorming sessions
- improv exercises
- daily journaling
Key Concepts
narrative structure
inciting incident
character motivation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you shape chance into coherent narrative?
- What everyday actions could become story catalysts?
A Different Perspective
Randomness can lead to incoherent plots without direction.
