--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Writing a novel creates a window to a new…" description: "\"“Writing a novel creates a window to a new way of looking at the world. Reading one means looking through that window.”\" — Mark Rubinstein" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd8/mark-rubinstein-26574_books_writing-a-novel-creates-a-window-to-a-ne_2057684.png" --- # Writing a novel creates a window to a new way of looking… ![“Writing a novel creates a window to a new way of looking at the world. Reading one means looking through that window.” quote by Mark Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd8/mark-rubinstein-26574_books_writing-a-novel-creates-a-window-to-a-ne_2057684.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd8/mark-rubinstein-26574_books_writing-a-novel-creates-a-window-to-a-ne_2057684.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd8/mark-rubinstein-26574_books_writing-a-novel-creates-a-window-to-a-ne_2057684.png) > ““Writing a novel creates a window to a new way of looking at the world. Reading one means looking through that window.”” [Mark Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rubinstein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writing opens a fresh perspective; reading lets you experience that perspective, enriching understanding. **In simple terms:** Writing creates new views; reading lets you see them. Key Takeaway Use writing to explore ideas, then read to broaden insight. Themes creativity literature perspective Mood inspirational reflective Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - writing workshops - book clubs - personal reflection - educational curricula Key Concepts novelty empathy interpretation Questions to Reflect On - How does writing change your view of reality? - What does reading a novel teach you about yourself? A Different Perspective Reading alone may not change worldview without critical thinking. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel/) [Reading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reading/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [The novel...creates a bemusing effect. The short story, on the other hand wakes the reader up. Not only that, it answers the primitive craving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/v-s-pritchett/the-novel-creates-a-bemusing-effect-the-short-story-on-the-other-hand/) [V. S. Pritchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/v-s-pritchett/) > [Reading means borrowing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/reading-means-borrowing/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [“Reading means borrowing. ~Georg Christoph Lichtenberg, Aphorisms”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-christoph-lichtenberg-aphorisms/reading-means-borrowing-georg-christoph-lichtenberg-aphorisms/) Georg Christoph Lichtenberg Aphorisms > [While we pay lip service to the virtues of reading, the truth is that there is still in our culture something that suspects those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/while-we-pay-lip-service-to-the-virtues-of-reading-the-truth-is-that/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [“Reading means living many lives.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wyatt/reading-means-living-many-lives/) [William Wyatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wyatt/) > [“To teach reading, means to light the fire; every syllable spelled out sparkles.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/to-teach-reading-means-to-light-the-fire-every-syllable-spelled-out/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [“Reading means never being bored and never being lonely. My books are my friends; they always provide me with a place to go.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satinder-bhatti/reading-means-never-being-bored-and-never-being-lonely-my-books-are/) Satinder Bhatti > [I never understood the concept of a fluffy summer read. For me, summer reading means beaches, long train rides and layovers in foreign airports.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-semple/i-never-understood-the-concept-of-a-fluffy-summer-read-for-me-summer/) [Maria Semple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-semple/) > [I don't believe in reading. I don't care about reading. It means nothing to me. I believe that by using your eyes and ears,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-hopper/i-don-t-believe-in-reading-i-don-t-care-about-reading-it-means/) [Dennis Hopper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-hopper/) > [Reading is a means of thinking with another person's mind; it forces you to stretch your own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/reading-is-a-means-of-thinking-with-another-person-s-mind-it-forces/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [One of the most difficult things in writing a novel or anything at all is to choose the point of view from which it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/truman-capote/one-of-the-most-difficult-things-in-writing-a-novel-or-anything-at/) [Truman Capote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/truman-capote/) > [Having been an editor for more than a decade, I thought I had a good idea of how much work was involved in writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-klassen/having-been-an-editor-for-more-than-a-decade-i-thought-i-had-a-good/) [Julie Klassen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-klassen/) > [If you're writing a novel, you're in a room for three or four years. There's not much coming in from the outside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mordecai-richler/if-you-re-writing-a-novel-you-re-in-a-room-for-three-or-four-years/) [Mordecai Richler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mordecai-richler/) > [When you're writing a novel, you spend four years sitting in your basement and a year waiting for the book to come out and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/when-you-re-writing-a-novel-you-spend-four-years-sitting-in-your/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are. —W. SOMERSET MAUGHAM”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-wax/there-are-three-rules-for-writing-a-novel-unfortunately-no-one-knows/) [Wendy Wax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-wax/) ## More by Mark Rubinstein > [Why do I love writing? I can be who I want, do what I want, hurt who I want, and make the world over,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rubinstein/why-do-i-love-writing-i-can-be-who-i-want-do-what-i-want-hurt-who-i/) [Mark Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rubinstein/) > [Having a dog or cat will open your heart. Reading a book will open your mind. Having both a pet and a book... absolute…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rubinstein/having-a-dog-or-cat-will-open-your-heart-reading-a-book-will-open/) [Mark Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rubinstein/) > [“The irony of writing is that it's a solitary profession in which the lone writer tries to address universal human concerns.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rubinstein/the-irony-of-writing-is-that-it-s-a-solitary-profession-in-which-the/) [Mark Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rubinstein/) > [“Standing in the corner, leaning aginst the wall, is a fifth man. If Grange is a Hummer, this guy's an 18-wheel Mack truck, thinks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rubinstein/standing-in-the-corner-leaning-aginst-the-wall-is-a-fifth-man-if/) [Mark Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rubinstein/) > [“A novel, though fiction, often speaks to the largest truths.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rubinstein/a-novel-though-fiction-often-speaks-to-the-largest-truths/) [Mark Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rubinstein/) > [“If you're a writer, reading is part of your job description.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rubinstein/if-you-re-a-writer-reading-is-part-of-your-job-description/) [Mark Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rubinstein/) > [“A novel is the final common pathway of a writer's experiences, fears, wishes, thoughts, feelings & fantasies. All is distilled in a novel.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rubinstein/a-novel-is-the-final-common-pathway-of-a-writer-s-experiences-fears/) [Mark Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rubinstein/) > [“Don't write for the market or for others. Write what you know, love and above all, write what you would love to read.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rubinstein/don-t-write-for-the-market-or-for-others-write-what-you-know-love-and/) [Mark Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rubinstein/) > [Having both a pet and a book...absolute heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rubinstein/having-both-a-pet-and-a-book-absolute-heaven/) [Mark Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rubinstein/) > [Listening is crucial for any novelist. Stories & ideas abound. We too often talk about ourselves & block out the richness others may offer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rubinstein/listening-is-crucial-for-any-novelist-stories-ideas-abound-we-too/) [Mark Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rubinstein/) > [“A writer should be on a quest to get better and better with each book. May it be a never-ending quest.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rubinstein/a-writer-should-be-on-a-quest-to-get-better-and-better-with-each-book/) [Mark Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rubinstein/) > [“Ir you're a writer, reading is part of your job description. ~ Mark Rubinstein”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rubinstein/ir-you-re-a-writer-reading-is-part-of-your-job-description-mark/) [Mark Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rubinstein/) > [A writer has many tools: eyes, ears, nose, sensations, thoughts feelings and imagination. The tools can construct a house of stories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rubinstein/a-writer-has-many-tools-eyes-ears-nose-sensations-thoughts-feelings/) [Mark Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rubinstein/) > [“A writer's two greatest tools are imagination and perseverance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rubinstein/a-writer-s-two-greatest-tools-are-imagination-and-perseverance/) [Mark Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rubinstein/) > [“There are twenty-six letters in the alphabet. A writer's task is to arrange them into sentences telling a unique story with guts, heart & soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rubinstein/there-are-twenty-six-letters-in-the-alphabet-a-writer-s-task-is-to/) [Mark Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rubinstein/) [Explore all 20 Mark Rubinstein quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rubinstein/) ## More Books quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep, I could buy a billion locks and finally read a book in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/if-i-had-a-dollar-for-every-time-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-buy-a/) [Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/) > [If what I write is literature, I guess you'd better emphasize the 'litter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-lunch/if-what-i-write-is-literature-i-guess-you-d-better-emphasize-the/) [Lydia Lunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-lunch/) > [My sentences got sharper and my stories more efficient, and I gradually learned to imagine the reader more clearly and to empathize with that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-thompson-walker/my-sentences-got-sharper-and-my-stories-more-efficient-and-i/) [Karen Thompson Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-thompson-walker/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [“Within the pages of books, I've journeyed to Mandalay, the Milky Way and Santa Fe, without once having to leave my armchair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-ansbro/within-the-pages-of-books-i-ve-journeyed-to-mandalay-the-milky-way/) [Kevin Ansbro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-ansbro/) > [The Rosary is the book of the blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/the-rosary-is-the-book-of-the-blind/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [“Tacitus did not write a most dangerous book. His readers made it so.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-k-krebs/tacitus-did-not-write-a-most-dangerous-book-his-readers-made-it-so/) Christopher K. Krebs > [“Take some books and read; that’s an immense help; and books are always good company if you have the right sort.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-may-alcott/take-some-books-and-read-that-s-an-immense-help-and-books-are-always/) [Louisa May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-may-alcott/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I have many who keep me going, I am very fortunate in this sense. There is nothing like a child who knows more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floyd-cooper/i-have-many-who-keep-me-going-i-am-very-fortunate-in-this-sense-there/) [Floyd Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floyd-cooper/) > [I think books in which people are really happy and things are going well are probably the most challenging novels there are to write,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/i-think-books-in-which-people-are-really-happy-and-things-are-going/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [“Be careful about reading health books. Some fine day you'll die of a misprint.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-herz/be-careful-about-reading-health-books-some-fine-day-you-ll-die-of-a/) Markus Herz > [But editors are still the world's readers. And thus the eyes of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/but-editors-are-still-the-world-s-readers-and-thus-the-eyes-of-the/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) [Browse all 59,485 Books quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Writing a novel creates a window to a new way of looking at the world. 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