Bed Quote by Mark Twain
“You thunder and lightning too much; the reader ceases to get under the bed, by and by.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Art of Writing, 1885
Excessive thunder and lightning in prose overwhelms readers, causing them to lose interest.
In simple terms: Too much drama distracts readers.
Use restraint for impact.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- short stories
- editing
- reader feedback
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When does vivid description become excessive?
- How can you maintain reader engagement?
Over‑decoration can dilute meaning.