Books Quote by Lynne Tillman
“I think about material that could work in the novel or story as I'm writing. I see if I can get there through what's happening with the character. But it's by inclination. It's not "At this moment this will happen." Usually with my characters you can't tell what has induced them to do anything. That's because, from my understanding of reality - which is always subjective - everything is overdetermined.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Writing Process, 2010
Creative decisions arise from characters' subjective realities, not predetermined plots.
In simple terms: Story evolves from characters' perspectives.
Key Takeaway
Embrace uncertainty in narrative.
Themes
creativity
subjectivity
overdetermination
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
Type
literary
artistic
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- character development
- story workshops
Key Concepts
narrative theory
psychology
determinism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does subjectivity shape your work?
- When to trust intuition over planning?
A Different Perspective
Over‑analysis can stall progress.
![“[Reality] isn't simply the so-called world that you're in. Your reality is a much larger one that takes in all matter of identification and desires and hopes.” quote by Lynne Tillman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/580/lynne-tillman-5609_desire_reality-isn-t-simply-the-so-called-world_223218.jpg)
