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Good writing Quote by John Edgar Wideman

“Good writing is always about things that are important to you, things that are scary to you, things that eat you up.” quote by John Edgar Wideman
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“Good writing is always about things that are important to you, things that are scary to you, things that eat you up.”

John Edgar Wideman

About This Quote

Source Book: Fiction Writing Workshop, John Edgar Wideman, 2005

Writing should focus on personal stakes, confronting fears, and topics that consume the writer emotionally.

In simple terms: Write about what matters, scares, and consumes you.

Key Takeaway

Channel personal urgency into your work.

Themes

authenticity fear passion

Mood

intense reflective

Type

creative motivational

When to use this quote

  • novel drafting
  • journalism
  • screenwriting
  • personal essays

Key Concepts

psychology creative expression

Questions to Reflect On

  • What personal fear fuels your best writing?
  • How does confronting that fear shape your voice?
A Different Perspective

May overlook broader audience relevance.

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