Coordinates Quote by Louise Bogan
“The fact, and the intuition or logic about the fact, are severe coordinates in fiction. In the short story they must cross with hair-line precision.”
About This Quote
Source Poetry: Short Story Craft, 1935
Precision in fiction requires aligning facts and intuition tightly, like a fine line that must be crossed accurately.
In simple terms: Fiction needs precise alignment of fact and intuition.
Key Takeaway
Craft stories with exact, intentional detail.
Themes
writing
precision
intuition
Mood
analytical
creative
Type
literary
instructional
When to use this quote
- editing process
- story outlining
- academic study
Key Concepts
narrative structure
creative discipline
literary technique
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance intuition with factual detail?
- When does precision hinder storytelling?
A Different Perspective
Over‑precision can stifle creativity.