--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Writing a novel is like heading out over…" description: "\"Writing a novel is like heading out over the open sea in a small boat. It helps, if you have a plan and a course laid out.\" — John Gardner" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b74/john-gardner-3092_boat_writing-a-novel-is-like-heading-out-over_2576589.png" --- # Writing a novel is like heading out over the open sea in a… ![“Writing a novel is like heading out over the open sea in a small boat. It helps, if you have a plan and a course laid out.” quote by John Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b74/john-gardner-3092_boat_writing-a-novel-is-like-heading-out-over_2576589.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b74/john-gardner-3092_boat_writing-a-novel-is-like-heading-out-over_2576589.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b74/john-gardner-3092_boat_writing-a-novel-is-like-heading-out-over_2576589.png) > “Writing a novel is like heading out over the open sea in a small boat. It helps, if you have a plan and a course laid out.” [John Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gardner/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writing a novel resembles navigating a small boat on the open sea; planning and direction are essential. **In simple terms:** Novel writing is like sailing a small boat; plan your course. Key Takeaway Plan and steer your writing journey. Themes writing creativity navigation planning Mood inspirational practical Type guidance metaphorical When to use this quote - author workshops - first drafts - story outlines Key Concepts literature metaphor Questions to Reflect On - How do you adjust when your plot veers off course? - What tools help maintain direction? A Different Perspective Unpredictable seas can derail plans. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Fiction writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fiction-writing/) [Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel/) [Sea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sea/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writers and writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writers-and-writing/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Writing fiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-fiction/) ## Related quotes > [I have been successful probably because I have always realized that I knew nothing about writing and have merely tried to tell an interesting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-rice-burroughs/i-have-been-successful-probably-because-i-have-always-realized-that-i/) [Edgar Rice Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-rice-burroughs/) > [The work never matches the dream of perfection the artist has to start with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-faulkner/the-work-never-matches-the-dream-of-perfection-the-artist-has-to/) [William Faulkner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-faulkner/) > [Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day. 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