Believe Quote by John Irving
“I believe a novel should be as complicated and involved as you're capable of making it.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The World According to Garp by John Irving, 1978
A novel should match the complexity the author can handle, pushing narrative depth.
In simple terms: Write as complex as you can.
Key Takeaway
Embrace narrative ambition.
Themes
creativity
complexity
authorial skill
Mood
reflective
introspective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- draft revisions
- author brainstorming
Key Concepts
literary ambition
narrative depth
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you gauge reader capacity?
- When does complexity become excess?
A Different Perspective
Complexity can alienate readers if not balanced.
![“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)
