Books Quote by john gardner
““One has to be just a little crazy to write a great novel. One must be capable of allowing the darkest, most ancient and shrewd parts of one's being to take over the work from time to time. Or be capable of cracking the door now and then to the deep craziness of life itself—as when in Anna Karenina, Levin proposes to Kitty in the same weird way Tolstoy himself proposed to his wife. Strangeness is the one quality in fiction that cannot be faked.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Art of Fiction, John Gardner, 1975
Creating a great novel requires a touch of madness, allowing the darkest and most ancient parts of oneself to surface, bringing authentic strangeness that cannot be fabricated.
In simple terms: Great fiction needs a bit of madness and genuine oddness.
Key Takeaway
Embrace your inner darkness for authentic storytelling.
Themes
creativity
authenticity
madness
strangeness
Mood
intense
inquisitive
Type
literary
motivational
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- personal journaling
- experimental prose
- character development
Key Concepts
psychology of art
literary theory
creative risk
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you channel inner darkness product?
- What limits should be set on creative risk?
A Different Perspective
Madness can lead to chaos if unchecked.
