Character Quote by Jeffrey Eugenides
“If I write a character, instead of looking from the outside, like maybe a journalist would, trying to describe them physically and figuring out what kind of things they might be interested in or have in their house, I don't really do it that way. I try to feel what it would be like to be inside this person, to be them.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, “The Art of Character”, 2015
The author advises immersing oneself in a character’s inner life rather than observing them externally, to write more authentically.
In simple terms: Live inside the character to write them truthfully.
Key Takeaway
Adopt the character’s perspective.
Themes
writing
empathy
character development
Mood
introspective
creative
empathetic
Type
literary
instructional
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- screenwriting
- role‑playing games
- creative workshops
Key Concepts
psychology
perspective taking
Questions to Reflect On
- How would you feel in your character’s daily routine?
- What hidden desires might drive them?
A Different Perspective
External observation can miss subtle motivations and inner conflicts.
