Aftermath Quote by John Irving
“I always know more about the ending, even the aftermath to the ending, than I know about the beginning. And so there's a construction that works from back to front.”
About This Quote
Understanding the ending first guides the whole narrative construction.
In simple terms: Start with the conclusion to shape the story.
Key Takeaway
Plan stories backward from the climax.
Themes
storytelling
structure
creative process
Mood
analytical
creative
Type
instructional
philosophical
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- screenwriting
- project planning
Key Concepts
narrative arcs
plot development
Questions to Reflect On
- How does knowing the ending affect suspense?
- Can this method work for non‑fiction?
A Different Perspective
May limit surprise for the audience.
![“JUST BECAUSE A BUNCH OF ATHEISTS ARE BETTER WRITERS THAN THE GUYS WHO WROTE THE BIBLE DOESN'T NECESSARILY MAKE THEM RIGHT!" [Owen Meany] said crossly. "LOOK AT THOSE WEIRDO TV MIRACLE-WORKERS--THEY'RE TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO BELIEVE IN MAGIC! BUT THE REAL MIRACLES AREN'T ANYTHING YOU CAN…” quote by John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70e/john-irving-337_atheists_just-because-a-bunch-of-atheists-are-bet_31804.jpg)
