--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Fiction---good fiction, anyway---is dream…" description: "\"“Fiction---good fiction, anyway---is dream made flesh, given purpose and drive, and set on a quest to show us the best in us and to give us the power a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/303/holly-lisle-24129_adventure_fiction-good-fiction-anyway-is-dream-mad_1326037.png" --- # Fiction---good fiction, anyway---is dream made flesh… ![“Fiction---good fiction, anyway---is dream made flesh, given purpose and drive, and set on a quest to show us the best in us and to give us the power and the tools to dream beyond reality's 'merely good enough' to a vision of what is truly great... ...and then to give us the stories of men and…” quote by Holly Lisle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/303/holly-lisle-24129_adventure_fiction-good-fiction-anyway-is-dream-mad_1326037.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/303/holly-lisle-24129_adventure_fiction-good-fiction-anyway-is-dream-mad_1326037.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/303/holly-lisle-24129_adventure_fiction-good-fiction-anyway-is-dream-mad_1326037.png) > ““Fiction---good fiction, anyway---is dream made flesh, given purpose and drive, and set on a quest to show us the best in us and to give us the power and the tools to dream beyond reality's 'merely good enough' to a vision of what is truly great... ...and then to give us the stories of men and women of character who in turn inspire those of us who dare to reach for the truly great within ourselves. THAT is why you write fiction.”” [Holly Lisle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-lisle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Good fiction serves as a purposeful dream, inspiring readers to envision greatness and empowering them to pursue their own potential. **In simple terms:** Stories inspire us to dream bigger and act on it. Key Takeaway Write stories that inspire and empower. Themes creativity inspiration growth Mood inspirational motivational Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - writing workshops - creative brainstorming - motivational speaking Key Concepts narrative purpose heroic archetype aspirational themes Questions to Reflect On - What makes a story truly inspiring? - How can writers balance entertainment with purpose? A Different Perspective Not all fiction achieves this depth; audience reception varies. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adventure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adventure/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Fiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fiction/) [Good enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-enough/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Men and women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-and-women/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Writing advice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-advice/) ## Related quotes > [Conflict and character are the heart of good fiction, and good mystery has both of those in spades.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/conflict-and-character-are-the-heart-of-good-fiction-and-good-mystery/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“No fiction is good fiction unless it is true to life, and yet no life is worth relating unless it be a life out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gerhardie/no-fiction-is-good-fiction-unless-it-is-true-to-life-and-yet-no-life/) [William Gerhardie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gerhardie/) > [There is no excuse for anyone to write fiction for public consumption unless he has been called to do so by the presence of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flannery-o-connor/there-is-no-excuse-for-anyone-to-write-fiction-for-public-consumption/) [Flannery O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flannery-o-connor/) > [I should say, I don't write about myself or my life. So for me, in fiction, it's always been about what I can dream…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/i-should-say-i-don-t-write-about-myself-or-my-life-so-for-me-in/) [Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/) > [Every photo is almost a fiction or a dream. If it's really good, it's another form of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-plachy/every-photo-is-almost-a-fiction-or-a-dream-if-it-s-really-good-it-s/) [Sylvia Plachy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-plachy/) > [As a storyteller, I've always been fascinated with the idea of recreating this notion of choices in fiction. My dream was to put the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cage/as-a-storyteller-i-ve-always-been-fascinated-with-the-idea-of/) [David Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cage/) > [I couldn't tell fact from fiction, Or if the dream was true My only sure prediction In this world was you. I'd touch your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-couldn-t-tell-fact-from-fiction-or-if-the-dream-was-true-my-only/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In science fiction, we dream. In order to colonize in space, to rebuild our cities, which are so far out of whack, to tackle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/in-science-fiction-we-dream-in-order-to-colonize-in-space-to-rebuild/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [Fiction is not a dream. Nor is it guesswork. It is imagining based on facts, and the facts must be accurate or the work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-culkin-banning/fiction-is-not-a-dream-nor-is-it-guesswork-it-is-imagining-based-on/) [Margaret Culkin Banning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-culkin-banning/) > [Fantasy is an area where it is possible to talk about right and wrong, good and evil, with a straight face. In mainstream fiction…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/fantasy-is-an-area-where-it-is-possible-to-talk-about-right-and-wrong/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [I see myself as a storyteller, I don't mind if the story is fact or fiction, if it's a good story I'd like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leanne-pooley/i-see-myself-as-a-storyteller-i-don-t-mind-if-the-story-is-fact-or/) [Leanne Pooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leanne-pooley/) > [In terms of fiction, I'd rather go out and have a good time than read a book about someone having a good or bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/in-terms-of-fiction-i-d-rather-go-out-and-have-a-good-time-than-read/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [I came into science fiction at a very good time, when the doors were getting thrown open to all kinds of more experimental writing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/i-came-into-science-fiction-at-a-very-good-time-when-the-doors-were/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [“To write good religious science fiction, or indeed good religious fiction of any kind, is a challenge but one that it would be worthwhile…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-g-p-colebatch/to-write-good-religious-science-fiction-or-indeed-good-religious/) Hal G.P. Colebatch > [I don’t think ‘science fiction’ is a very good name for it, but it’s the name that we’ve got. It is different from other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/i-don-t-think-science-fiction-is-a-very-good-name-for-it-but-it-s-the/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) ## More by Holly Lisle > [“Which would be at about shoulder height. Apparently, in Pada’s search for her path, the Saints needed to be sure that they had nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-lisle/which-would-be-at-about-shoulder-height-apparently-in-pada-s-search/) [Holly Lisle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-lisle/) > [“May we see our paths clearly, may we follow them truly, and may the roads we walk always bring us back together safely from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-lisle/may-we-see-our-paths-clearly-may-we-follow-them-truly-and-may-the/) [Holly Lisle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-lisle/) > [Adventures are only interesting once you've lived to see the end of them. Before that, they are nothing but fear, and being too cold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-lisle/adventures-are-only-interesting-once-you-ve-lived-to-see-the-end-of/) [Holly Lisle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-lisle/) > [Anything designed to be inoffensive isn't worth your time -- life itself is pretty offensive, ending as it does with death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-lisle/anything-designed-to-be-inoffensive-isn-t-worth-your-time-life-itself/) [Holly Lisle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-lisle/) > [If you have dreams you want to pursue, the time is now. There is no perfect time, and there is no better time. There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-lisle/if-you-have-dreams-you-want-to-pursue-the-time-is-now-there-is-no/) [Holly Lisle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-lisle/) > [The definition of a writing career, is write a book, write another book, write another book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-lisle/the-definition-of-a-writing-career-is-write-a-book-write-another-book/) [Holly Lisle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-lisle/) > [Guilt is a good friend, isn't it? It will stand at your back when every other friend has abandoned you, and in the face…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-lisle/guilt-is-a-good-friend-isn-t-it-it-will-stand-at-your-back-when-every/) [Holly Lisle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-lisle/) > [Courage is nothing more than taking one step more than you think you can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-lisle/courage-is-nothing-more-than-taking-one-step-more-than-you-think-you/) [Holly Lisle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-lisle/) > [Willful ignorance and endless laws become the replacement for self-education and self-restraint, because ignorance and laws are easy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-lisle/willful-ignorance-and-endless-laws-become-the-replacement-for-self/) [Holly Lisle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-lisle/) > [“Race doesn't exist. Skin color exists. Hair and eye color are real. Body type varies from individual to individual, as does tooth shape and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-lisle/race-doesn-t-exist-skin-color-exists-hair-and-eye-color-are-real-body/) [Holly Lisle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-lisle/) > [You must learn to face the fact, always, that you choose to do what you do, and that everything you do affects not only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-lisle/you-must-learn-to-face-the-fact-always-that-you-choose-to-do-what-you/) [Holly Lisle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-lisle/) > [A voice speaks to each of us in the still silent places - a voice that tells us to stand, to have courage, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-lisle/a-voice-speaks-to-each-of-us-in-the-still-silent-places-a-voice-that/) [Holly Lisle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-lisle/) > [The only place you will be accepted is the place you make for yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-lisle/the-only-place-you-will-be-accepted-is-the-place-you-make-for-yourself/) [Holly Lisle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-lisle/) > [“The story I'm writing finds its own voice while I'm writing it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-lisle/the-story-i-m-writing-finds-its-own-voice-while-i-m-writing-it/) [Holly Lisle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-lisle/) > [“And let’s debunk one bit of writer myth while we’re here: Doing a seventeenth revision on a project does not make a writer an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-lisle/and-let-s-debunk-one-bit-of-writer-myth-while-we-re-here-doing-a/) [Holly Lisle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-lisle/) [Explore all 25 Holly Lisle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-lisle/) ## More Adventure quotes > [I'm trying to write a film with my friend. I'd love to get the thrill of speaking actors making my work even funnier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-howard/i-m-trying-to-write-a-film-with-my-friend-i-d-love-to-get-the-thrill/) [Russell Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-howard/) > [I painted the words "GREAT ADVENTURE" in Beijing, Dallas, San Francisco, Copenhagen, and Japan. What it means to me is completely different to everybody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-eine/i-painted-the-words-great-adventure-in-beijing-dallas-san-francisco/) [Ben Eine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-eine/) > [I've used the Phoenix Centrifuge to replicate what the body's going to go through on the flight up. I've also done some gravity tests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/i-ve-used-the-phoenix-centrifuge-to-replicate-what-the-body-s-going/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [I have lifted my plane . . . for perhaps a thousand flights and I have never felt her wheels glide from the Earth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beryl-markham/i-have-lifted-my-plane-for-perhaps-a-thousand-flights-and-i-have/) [Beryl Markham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beryl-markham/) > [I am attracted to looking at the different things language can mean even in one sometimes quite ordinary utterance. Writing is partly about listening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rae-armantrout/i-am-attracted-to-looking-at-the-different-things-language-can-mean/) [Rae Armantrout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rae-armantrout/) > [What a thrill. You know you've entered new territory when you realise that your outfit cost more than your film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-yu/what-a-thrill-you-know-you-ve-entered-new-territory-when-you-realise/) Jessica Yu > [“So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned by a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-supertramp-chris-mccandless/so-many-people-live-within-unhappy-circumstances-and-yet-will-not/) Alexander Supertramp Chris McCandless > [A common fallacy in much of the adverse criticism to which science is subjected today is that it claims certainty, infallibility and complete emotional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyril-norman-hinshelwood/a-common-fallacy-in-much-of-the-adverse-criticism-to-which-science-is/) [Cyril Norman Hinshelwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyril-norman-hinshelwood/) > [“Exactly. I think the original tantric Buddhists took notice of was some very wise old people who never studied in their youth, but took…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-niemczura/exactly-i-think-the-original-tantric-buddhists-took-notice-of-was/) [Joe Niemczura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-niemczura/) > [As an adventurer...I try to protect against the downside. I make sure I have covered as many eventualities as I can. In the end,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/as-an-adventurer-i-try-to-protect-against-the-downside-i-make-sure-i/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [“Love can give you such happiness, then can break the very heart it filled, leaving a hole that can never be fixed or protected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-mcleod/love-can-give-you-such-happiness-then-can-break-the-very-heart-it/) Kevin McLeod > [“It always gave Wolf a peculiar thrill thus to tighten his grip upon his stick, thus to wrap himself more closely in his faded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cowper-powys/it-always-gave-wolf-a-peculiar-thrill-thus-to-tighten-his-grip-upon/) [John Cowper Powys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cowper-powys/) > [“It all had to be squeezed and squeezed again, to provide a thrill, to provide enjoyment. What did people mean, with their simply determined…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-h-lawrence-2/it-all-had-to-be-squeezed-and-squeezed-again-to-provide-a-thrill-to/) [D.H. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-h-lawrence-2/) > [I am not an adventurous person but I am gutsy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahul-vaidya/i-am-not-an-adventurous-person-but-i-am-gutsy/) [Rahul Vaidya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahul-vaidya/) > [Our civilization, bequeathed to us by fierce adventurers, eaters of meat and hunters, is so full of hurry and combat, so busy about many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/our-civilization-bequeathed-to-us-by-fierce-adventurers-eaters-of/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) [Browse all 7,690 Adventure quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adventure/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Fiction---good fiction, anyway---is dream made flesh, given purpose and drive, and set on a quest to show us the best in us and to give us the power and the tools to dream beyond reality's 'merely good enough' to a vision of what is truly great... ...and then to give us the stories of men and women of character who in turn inspire those of us who dare to reach for the truly great within ourselves. 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