--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's like a novelist writing far out…" description: "\"It's like a novelist writing far out things. If it makes a point and makes sense, then people like to read that. But if it's off in left field and goes..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed5/johnny-cash-1517_fields_it-s-like-a-novelist-writing-far-out-thi_2252075.jpg" --- # It's like a novelist writing far out things. If it makes a… ![“It's like a novelist writing far out things. If it makes a point and makes sense, then people like to read that. But if it's off in left field and goes over the edge, you lose it. The same with musical talent, I think.” quote by Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed5/johnny-cash-1517_fields_it-s-like-a-novelist-writing-far-out-thi_2252075.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed5/johnny-cash-1517_fields_it-s-like-a-novelist-writing-far-out-thi_2252075.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed5/johnny-cash-1517_fields_it-s-like-a-novelist-writing-far-out-thi_2252075.jpg) > “It's like a novelist writing far out things. If it makes a point and makes sense, then people like to read that. But if it's off in left field and goes over the edge, you lose it. The same with musical talent, I think.” [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Creative works must balance originality with coherence; too far outside norms can alienate audiences, while staying grounded keeps engagement. **In simple terms:** Stay original but clear. Key Takeaway Find the sweet spot between novelty and clarity. Themes creativity clarity audience engagement artistic risk balance Mood reflective analytical inspirational Type creative educational philosophical When to use this quote - writing novels - composing music - designing products - marketing campaigns - teaching concepts Key Concepts narrative structure musical composition innovation storytelling critical reception Questions to Reflect On - How do you test if ideas resonate? - When do you simplify? A Different Perspective Being too experimental can lose audience interest. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Musical talent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/musical-talent/) [Novelists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novelists/) [Over the edge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/over-the-edge/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Talent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talent/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [The idea that you can ask one question and it makes the point - well, that wasn't how psychology was done at the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-kahneman/the-idea-that-you-can-ask-one-question-and-it-makes-the-point-well/) [Daniel Kahneman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-kahneman/) > [“Hence a wise general makes a point of foraging on the enemy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/hence-a-wise-general-makes-a-point-of-foraging-on-the-enemy/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [You can't just reprise the news. You have to have journalism that makes a point and you have to be in sync with your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-pearlstine/you-can-t-just-reprise-the-news-you-have-to-have-journalism-that/) [Norman Pearlstine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-pearlstine/) > [Writing was far more of an art in the sports world than it is now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-knight/writing-was-far-more-of-an-art-in-the-sports-world-than-it-is-now/) [Bobby Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-knight/) > [Don Juan, in the teacings of Carlos Castaneda, makes the same point. You have to fool people into seeking knowlege. People will not do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/don-juan-in-the-teacings-of-carlos-castaneda-makes-the-same-point-you/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“It's not about writing, it's about how far you can imagine...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepa-gera/it-s-not-about-writing-it-s-about-how-far-you-can-imagine/) Deepa Gera > [I suspect that writer's block afflicts mainly people who have some stable and ample source of income outside of writing. So far it hasn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-saberhagen/i-suspect-that-writer-s-block-afflicts-mainly-people-who-have-some/) [Fred Saberhagen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-saberhagen/) > [When you make it a point to care for others, life somehow makes it a point to care for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-make-it-a-point-to-care-for-others-life-somehow-makes-it-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Writing is far too hard work to say what someone else wants me to. Serving it as a craft, using it as a way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-rule/writing-is-far-too-hard-work-to-say-what-someone-else-wants-me-to/) [Jane Rule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-rule/) > [While I'm writing, I'm far away; and when I come back, I've gone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-neruda/while-i-m-writing-i-m-far-away-and-when-i-come-back-i-ve-gone/) [Pablo Neruda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-neruda/) > [History makes the point time and time again No greater mischief can be created than to merge the power of religion with the power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lowell-p-weicker-jr/history-makes-the-point-time-and-time-again-no-greater-mischief-can/) [Lowell P. Weicker, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lowell-p-weicker-jr/) > [Despite my solitary life, I have found infinite joy in books and writing, and am by far too much interested in the affairs of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-p-lovecraft/despite-my-solitary-life-i-have-found-infinite-joy-in-books-and/) [H. P. Lovecraft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-p-lovecraft/) > [Novel writing is far and away the most exhausting work I know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-forester/novel-writing-is-far-and-away-the-most-exhausting-work-i-know/) [C. S. Forester](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-forester/) > [“I think that if you use the so-called "strong words" you'll get your point across faster and you can save a lot of beating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/i-think-that-if-you-use-the-so-called-strong-words-you-ll-get-your/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [Accepting blame when it's not really due sometimes makes the point better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/accepting-blame-when-it-s-not-really-due-sometimes-makes-the-point/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) ## More by Johnny Cash > [I read novels but I also read the Bible. And study it, you know? And the more I learn, the more excited I get.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/i-read-novels-but-i-also-read-the-bible-and-study-it-you-know-and-the/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [You're so heavenly minded, you're no earthly good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/you-re-so-heavenly-minded-you-re-no-earthly-good/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [Of emotions, of love, of breakup, of love and hate and death and dying, mama, apple pie, and the whole thing. It covers a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/of-emotions-of-love-of-breakup-of-love-and-hate-and-death-and-dying/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [Until things are brighter.. I'm the man in black.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/until-things-are-brighter-i-m-the-man-in-black/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [I'm thankful for a pair of shoes that feel really good on my feet; I like my shoes. I'm thankful for the birds; I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/i-m-thankful-for-a-pair-of-shoes-that-feel-really-good-on-my-feet-i/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [I knew I wanted to sing when I was a very small boy. When I was probably 4 years old. My mother played a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/i-knew-i-wanted-to-sing-when-i-was-a-very-small-boy-when-i-was/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [No matter how much you've sinned, no matter how much you've stumbled, no matter how much you fall, no matter how far you've got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/no-matter-how-much-you-ve-sinned-no-matter-how-much-you-ve-stumbled/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [ I met Sam Phillips when he came in \[studio\] and I said, I'm John Cash. I'm the one who's been calling. And if you'd… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/i-met-sam-phillips-when-he-came-in-studio-and-i-said-i-m-john-cash-i/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [My mother told me to keep on singing, and that kept me working through the cotton fields. She said God has his hand on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/my-mother-told-me-to-keep-on-singing-and-that-kept-me-working-through/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [I started to write the song. And I was in Gladewater, Texas, one night with Carl Perkins and I said, I've got a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/i-started-to-write-the-song-and-i-was-in-gladewater-texas-one-night/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [Don't take voice lessons. Do it your way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/don-t-take-voice-lessons-do-it-your-way/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [I expect my life to end pretty soon. You know, I'm 71 years old. I have great faith, though. I have unshakable faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/i-expect-my-life-to-end-pretty-soon-you-know-i-m-71-years-old-i-have/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [I say I'm not a singer, so that means I can't sing. But - doesn't it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/i-say-i-m-not-a-singer-so-that-means-i-can-t-sing-but-doesn-t-it/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [However, neither he nor anyone else could have become the star Elvis was. Ain't nobody like Elvis. Never was.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/however-neither-he-nor-anyone-else-could-have-become-the-star-elvis/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [Everybody was wearing rhinestones, all those sparkly clothes, and cowboy boots. I decided to wear a black shirt and pants and see if I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/everybody-was-wearing-rhinestones-all-those-sparkly-clothes-and/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) [Explore all 232 Johnny Cash quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) ## More Fields quotes > [A Light exists in Spring Not present on the Year At any other period - When March is scarcely here A Color stands abroad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/a-light-exists-in-spring-not-present-on-the-year-at-any-other-period/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [failure in the theater is more public, more brilliant, more unreal than in any other field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lillian-hellman/failure-in-the-theater-is-more-public-more-brilliant-more-unreal-than/) [Lillian Hellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lillian-hellman/) > [Turn over the pages of history and read the damning record of the church's opposition to every advance in every field of science. . . .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/upton-sinclair/turn-over-the-pages-of-history-and-read-the-damning-record-of-the/) [Upton Sinclair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/upton-sinclair/) > [It's a great lesson in modesty that you realize you're illiterate in a field that you think you're an expert in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wim-wenders/it-s-a-great-lesson-in-modesty-that-you-realize-you-re-illiterate-in/) [Wim Wenders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wim-wenders/) > [Society understands the architecture of academia and knows there are relevant qualifications in different fields, and the media accepts the idea of specialisations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-griffiths/society-understands-the-architecture-of-academia-and-knows-there-are/) [Jay Griffiths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-griffiths/) > [From the grasses in the field to the stars in the sky, each one is doing just that; and there is such profound peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/from-the-grasses-in-the-field-to-the-stars-in-the-sky-each-one-is/) [Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/) > [I don't think people will ever forget I was an 'Angel,' anymore than they'll forget Sally Field was 'The Flying Nun.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-ladd/i-don-t-think-people-will-ever-forget-i-was-an-angel-anymore-than/) [Cheryl Ladd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-ladd/) > [ I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect \[Donald Trump\], or then-president \[Barack Obama\]. But it's - I'm very clear.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mattis/i-can-t-imagine-that-i-would-be-asked-that-by-the-president-elect/) [James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mattis/) > [My dream is to see India as a nation of well-looked-after and respected sportspeople in all fields.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saina-nehwal/my-dream-is-to-see-india-as-a-nation-of-well-looked-after-and/) [Saina Nehwal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saina-nehwal/) > [ By profession a biologist, \[Thomas Henry Huxley\] covered in fact the whole field of the exact sciences, and then bulged through its four fences.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/by-profession-a-biologist-thomas-henry-huxley-covered-in-fact-the/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [Karma means changing planes of reality or changing fields of attention. There will be perhaps a resulting physical action stemming from the change of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/karma-means-changing-planes-of-reality-or-changing-fields-of/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I've been screwed by as many women as I have by men, in terms of lawyers. But lawyers don't count. If you take lawyers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/courtney-love/i-ve-been-screwed-by-as-many-women-as-i-have-by-men-in-terms-of/) [Courtney Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/courtney-love/) > [I am sympathetic to developing countries’ concerns: because of our emissions it’s their crops that will disappear; because of our inaction, it’s their fields…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/i-am-sympathetic-to-developing-countries-concerns-because-of-our/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) > [No matter what. Wherever your mind wanders, it seems to turn up at the same Field of Dreams. It's the vision you wake up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/no-matter-what-wherever-your-mind-wanders-it-seems-to-turn-up-at-the/) [James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) > [I don't think that a company should own a studio and the network, and program for their own network. It hurts the creativity -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-bakula/i-don-t-think-that-a-company-should-own-a-studio-and-the-network-and/) [Scott Bakula](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-bakula/) Browse all 4,699 Fields quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It's like a novelist writing far out things. If it makes a point and makes sense, then people like to read that. But if it's off in left field and goes over the edge, you lose it. 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