Books Quote by Matthew Specktor
“It's hard enough to make a novel a novel. I wouldn't know how to make it something else at the same time”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Writer's Journey, 2015
Creating a novel is already a complex task; attempting to transform it into something else simultaneously is unrealistic.
In simple terms: Making a novel is hard; changing it too is harder.
Key Takeaway
Focus on one goal at a time.
Themes
creativity
writing
focus
Mood
determined
reflective
Type
advice
inspirational
When to use this quote
- Publishing
- editing
- genre experimentation
Key Concepts
Narrative structure
artistic integrity
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you prioritize one creative vision?
- What compromises arise when juggling goals?
A Different Perspective
Balancing multiple creative directions can dilute quality.
![“What was fun for me with this book [Lincoln in the Bardo] was to start out with the principle that went, "We're going to fight every day to make this not a novel; make it too short to be a novel." And then with that principle in place, the book sort of starts to say, "Okay, but I really need this…” quote by George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/920/george-saunders-317_book_what-was-fun-for-me-with-this-book-linco_1985477.jpg)
