---
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 writers palette. I suppose Im in the minority but I think its crazy for literary fiction to divorc..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af8/jess-walter-2228_color_i-think-suspense-should-be-like-any-othe_1978076.jpg"
---

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

![“I think suspense should be like any other color on a writers palette. I suppose Im in the minority but I think its 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/af8/jess-walter-2228_color_i-think-suspense-should-be-like-any-othe_1978076.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af8/jess-walter-2228_color_i-think-suspense-should-be-like-any-othe_1978076.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af8/jess-walter-2228_color_i-think-suspense-should-be-like-any-othe_1978076.jpg)

> “I think suspense should be like any other color on a writers palette. I suppose Im in the minority but I think its 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 is a narrative tool, not a genre label; it can enrich literary fiction just like any color enriches a painting.

**In simple terms:** Suspense can be used in any literary style.

Key Takeaway

Use suspense to deepen story impact.

Themes

literary fiction genre boundaries storytelling

Mood

thoughtful inquisitive

Type

analytical inspirational

When to use this quote

- novel writing
- creative workshops
- editorial meetings
- teaching creative writing

Key Concepts

narrative technique genre theory

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you integrate suspense without alienating literary readers?
- What benefits arise from blurring genre lines?

A Different Perspective

Genre labels can limit audience expectations and marketing.

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