Story writing Quote by Jessica Bell
““If your characters write your story, rather than you writing your characters, it's like your dog taking YOU for a walk. Don't let them control you. Take charge and train them to listen to their master.””
About This Quote
The quote warns against letting fictional characters dictate the narrative, urging writers to retain authority and shape their creations deliberately.
In simple terms: Maintain authorial control over characters.
Key Takeaway
Authors must guide, not be led by, their creations.
Themes
authorial control
creative discipline
storytelling hierarchy
Mood
determined
cautious
Type
advice
metaphor
When to use this quote
- drafting a novel
- writing a screenplay
- developing a game storyline
Key Concepts
character agency
narrative direction
Practical Applications
- author workshops
- writing software prompts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance character depth with plot control?
- What strategies keep you from being 'overrun' by your characters?
![“Writing two stories [in the Thorn and the Blossom] about the same set of events that were complete stories in themselves, but also added up to a larger story. As I was writing them, I kept going back and forth, because something would happen in one story that would have to be reflected in the…” quote by Theodora Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c0d/theodora-goss-10051_back-and-forth_writing-two-stories-in-the-thorn-and-the_213001.jpg)
