Book Quote by Jane Smiley
“I wrote the Dickens book because I loved Dickens, not because I felt a kinship with him, but after writing the book it seemed to me that there was at least one similarity between us and that was that Dickens loved to write and wrote with the ease and conviction of breathing. Me, too.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: 2020 Literary Magazine, Jane Smiley discussing her novel
She wrote a Dickens-inspired book out of admiration, discovering a shared love for effortless, sincere writing
In simple terms: Writing out of admiration reveals shared creative instincts
Key Takeaway
Embrace genuine inspiration in your work
Themes
literature
inspiration
authenticity
Mood
reflective
enthusiastic
Type
analytical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- writing a novel
- literary criticism
- teaching writing
Key Concepts
creative process
literary influence
Questions to Reflect On
- How does admiration shape your creative voice?
- Can you identify other writers you share a natural rhythm with?
A Different Perspective
Personal admiration may not translate to identical style
![“I think [Charles] Dickens was an extrovert and Nelly [Ternan] an introvert, and I think that Nelly saw beyond the fame and adulation and she actually loved Dickens essentially for who he was. So I think he felt like she was someone he could be himself with.” quote by Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/def/felicity-jones-2070_adulation_i-think-charles-dickens-was-an-extrovert_1337916.jpg)
