--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If having a story that's compelling - you…" description: "\"If having a story that's compelling - you want to know what will happen - is traditional, then ultimately I am a traditionalist. That is what readers c..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e54/jennifer-egan-825_about_if-having-a-story-that-s-compelling-you_2299991.jpg" --- # If having a story that's compelling - you want to know… ![“If having a story that's compelling - you want to know what will happen - is traditional, then ultimately I am a traditionalist. That is what readers care about. It's what I care about as a reader. Now if I can have that along with a strong girding of ideas and some kind of exciting technical…” quote by Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e54/jennifer-egan-825_about_if-having-a-story-that-s-compelling-you_2299991.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e54/jennifer-egan-825_about_if-having-a-story-that-s-compelling-you_2299991.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e54/jennifer-egan-825_about_if-having-a-story-that-s-compelling-you_2299991.jpg) > “If having a story that's compelling - you want to know what will happen - is traditional, then ultimately I am a traditionalist. That is what readers care about. It's what I care about as a reader. Now if I can have that along with a strong girding of ideas and some kind of exciting technical forays - then that is just the jackpot.” [Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A traditional narrative structure satisfies readers, but blending it with bold ideas and technical flair creates a superior story. **In simple terms:** Mix classic storytelling with innovative ideas. Key Takeaway Blend tradition with innovation. Themes storytelling tradition innovation technology reader expectations Mood inspirational thoughtful Type advice creative. When to use this quote - novel writing - film scripts - marketing pitches Key Concepts narrative structure creative risk Questions to Reflect On - What balance of tradition and novelty works for you? - How can technical elements enhance a story? A Different Perspective Traditional forms may limit experimentation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Care](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/care/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Readers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/readers/) [Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/story/) ## Related quotes > [As a rule, I am very skeptical of tying books to anniversaries. I don't think readers care. I also feel that it just about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-larson/as-a-rule-i-am-very-skeptical-of-tying-books-to-anniversaries-i-don-t/) [Erik Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-larson/) > [You have to expose part of yourself to create a character deep enough for readers to care about. 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I care about anyone who reads my books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-karon/i-really-care-about-my-readers-i-care-about-anyone-who-reads-my-books/) [Jan Karon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-karon/) > [I love writing for young adults because they are such a wonderful audience, they are good readers, and they care about the books they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-paterson/i-love-writing-for-young-adults-because-they-are-such-a-wonderful/) [Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-paterson/) > [“I once made up a story as a wedding present for some friends. 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