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Psychology Quote by Haruki Murakami

“In my case, if I start out by thinking about the plot, things don't go well. Small points, such as my impression of what is likely to occur, do come to mind, but I let the rest of the story take its own course. I don't want to spend as long as two years writing a story whose plot I already know.” quote by Haruki Murakami
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““In my case, if I start out by thinking about the plot, things don't go well. Small points, such as my impression of what is likely to occur, do come to mind, but I let the rest of the story take its own course. I don't want to spend as long as two years writing a story whose plot I already know.””

Haruki Murakami

About This Quote

Source Interview: 2015 interview with The Paris Review

The author prefers to discover the story organically rather than planning the plot in advance, allowing intuition to guide the narrative.

In simple terms: Write without pre‑planned plot; let the story unfold naturally.

Key Takeaway

Trust the process; avoid over‑planning.

Themes

creativity spontaneity writing process

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

advice process.

When to use this quote

  • novel writing
  • short story drafts
  • creative workshops
  • first‑draft sessions

Key Concepts

intuition narrative discovery flow state

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you balance spontaneity with narrative cohesion?
  • What techniques help you shape a story after its initial discovery?
A Different Perspective

May lead to wandering or lack of structural coherence if not later refined.

3.6 out of 5 (9 ratings)

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