Character Quote by Karen Russell
“When I'm drafting, I suppose it's an intuitive process - figuring out when something just has a surreal glaze on it and when it grapples with something that could threaten a character's day-to-day reality.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, “The Art of Writing,” 2021
Balancing surreal imagination with realistic stakes keeps a story grounded while imaginative vivid.
In simple terms: Mix fantasy with believable consequences.
Key Takeaway
Blend wonder with realism.
Themes
creativity
reality
character
Mood
thoughtful
inspired
Type
advice
reflective
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- screenwriting
- worldbuilding
Key Concepts
narrative
imagination
grounding
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you decide when a scene is too surreal?
- What grounds your fantastical ideas?
A Different Perspective
Surreal elements can alienate readers if not tied to character stakes.
