Believe Quote by Jason Reynolds
“I believe that every character is a setting, a world with moving parts, and on the other hand, every setting is, in fact, a character - a living breathing thing with personality and backstory. The way stories come to life, at least for me, is when these elements commune in relationship to one another.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New York Times, 2020
Characters and settings are interdependent; each influences the other’s identity.
In simple terms: Settings act like characters, shaping stories.
Key Takeaway
Treat environments as dynamic characters.
Themes
storytelling
setting
character
interdependence
Mood
creative
analytical
Type
literary
instructional
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- film production
- game design
Key Concepts
narrative theory
worldbuilding
Questions to Reflect On
- How does setting reflect a character’s inner world?
- What elements make a setting feel alive?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on setting may distract from plot.