Almost Quote by John Irving
“My first attraction to writing novels was the plot, that almost extinct animal. Those novels I read which made me want to be a novelist were long, always plotted, novels - not just Victorian novels, but also those of my New England ancestors: Herman Melville and Nathaniel Hawthorne.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Writing Inspiration, 1995
Irving’s attraction to novels stemmed from richly plotted stories, especially those with extinct or rare creatures, influencing his own narrative style.
In simple terms: Plot-driven novels inspired him.
Key Takeaway
Focus on strong plot.
Themes
literature
inspiration
creativity
storytelling
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
literary
creative
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- reading groups
- author talks
- research trips
Key Concepts
novel analysis
creative writing
literary history
Questions to Reflect On
- How does plot shape character?
- What role do rare creatures play in storytelling?
A Different Perspective
Plot alone may neglect character depth.
![“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)
