Books Quote by John Irving
“The concept of writing a novel and not knowing where it's going - I don't know how to do that. Novels are plot- and character-driven, so if I don't know what becomes of people, how can I know where it should begin?”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Discussion on novel writing, date unknown
The quote expresses uncertainty about starting a novel without a clear plot or character direction, highlighting the challenge of beginning a story when its future is unclear.
In simple terms: Uncertainty about starting a story without a clear plan.
Key Takeaway
Embrace discovery; outline loosely and let characters guide you.
Themes
creativity
writing
uncertainty
process
exploration
Mood
anxious
curious
Type
advice
inspirational
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- first draft attempts
- brainstorming sessions
- creative retreats
Key Concepts
narrative structure
character development
emergent storytelling
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you use character questions to shape plot?
- What methods help generate initial story ideas?
A Different Perspective
A lack of initial direction can lead to aimless drafts and wasted effort.
![“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)
