Awful Quote by John Fowles
“On the whole, dialogue is the most difficult thing, without any doubt. It's very difficult, unfortunately. You have to detach yourself from the notion of a lifelike quality. You see, actually lifelike, tape-recorded dialogue like this has very little to do with good novel dialogue. It's a matter of getting that awful tyranny of mimesis out of your mind, which is difficult.”
About This Quote
Authentic dialogue in fiction requires abandoning realistic expectations and embracing stylized, purposeful speech that serves narrative rather than mimics life.
In simple terms: Good dialogue is purposeful, not strictly realistic.
Key Takeaway
Write dialogue that advances story, not just mimics speech.
Themes
writing
dialogue
fiction
realism
craft
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
educational
inspirational
When to use this quote
- novel drafting
- scriptwriting
- creative workshops
- editing sessions
Key Concepts
mimesis
narrative voice
literary technique
Questions to Reflect On
- How can dialogue feel natural yet purposeful?
- When is realistic speech effective?
A Different Perspective
May feel artificial to readers.
