Book Quote by John Edgar Wideman
“I really dislike when people talk about "experimental," because any good writer is experimental. As a writer, you don't know what the hell you're doing. You're just doing it. You hope it works out well. I've been experimenting with these things myself in my own books.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Paris Review, 2018
Good writing emerges from experimentation; uncertainty drives creativity and authentic expression.
In simple terms: Experimentation fuels authentic writing.
Key Takeaway
Write boldly without over‑planning.
Themes
creativity
writing
experimentation
Mood
curious
determined
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- novel drafting
- short story development
- workshop exercises
Key Concepts
literary theory
process
authenticity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance experimentation with clarity?
- What risks are you willing to take in your writing?
A Different Perspective
Too much experimentation may lead to incoherence.
