---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think suspense should be like any other…"
description: "\"I think suspense should be like any other color on a writer's palette. I suppose I'm in the minority but I think it's crazy for 'literary fiction' to d..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d7/jess-walter-2228_any_i-think-suspense-should-be-like-any-othe_1646565.jpg"
---

#  I think suspense should be like any other color on a…

![“I think suspense should be like any other color on a writer's palette. I suppose I'm in the minority but I think it's crazy for 'literary fiction' to divorce itself from stories that are suspenseful, and assign anything with cops or spies or criminals to some genre ghetto.” quote by Jess Walter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d7/jess-walter-2228_any_i-think-suspense-should-be-like-any-othe_1646565.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d7/jess-walter-2228_any_i-think-suspense-should-be-like-any-othe_1646565.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d7/jess-walter-2228_any_i-think-suspense-should-be-like-any-othe_1646565.jpg)

> “I think suspense should be like any other color on a writer's palette. I suppose I'm in the minority but I think it's crazy for 'literary fiction' to divorce itself from stories that are suspenseful, and assign anything with cops or spies or criminals to some genre ghetto.”

[Jess Walter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jess-walter/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Suspense should be a normal tool for any writer, not limited to genre fiction.

**In simple terms:** All writers can use suspense.

Key Takeaway

Integrate tension across genres.

Themes

writing genre suspense creativity

Mood

thoughtful challenging

Type

analytical inspirational

When to use this quote

- writing a novel
- crafting a short story
- teaching creative writing

Key Concepts

narrative tension genre blending

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you add suspense without genre labels?
- What risks arise from breaking genre norms?

A Different Perspective

Genre expectations may resist change.

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