Believe Quote by John Irving
“I believe in plot, in development of character, in the effect of the passage of time, in a good story - better than something you might find in the newspaper. And I believe a novel should be as complicated and involved as you're capable of making it.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New York Times, 1998
A novel should be richly layered, with deep character arcs and the passage of time shaping the story, surpassing superficial narratives.
In simple terms: Complex novels need deep characters and time.
Key Takeaway
Aim for depth and complexity in storytelling.
Themes
literature
character development
storytelling
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
literary
analytical
When to use this quote
- Writing a novel
- literary analysis
- book club discussions
Key Concepts
Narrative complexity
character arcs
temporal depth
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance complexity with readability?
- What role does time play in character growth?
A Different Perspective
Complexity can alienate readers seeking simplicity.
![“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)
