--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I didn't want to just write stories that…" description: "\"I didn't want to just write stories that were entertaining. Nor did I want to be so scholarly that people couldn't digest it.\" — Max Lucado" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e93/max-lucado-190_entertaining_i-didn-t-want-to-just-write-stories-that_359964.jpg" --- # I didn't want to just write stories that were… ![“I didn't want to just write stories that were entertaining. Nor did I want to be so scholarly that people couldn't digest it.” quote by Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e93/max-lucado-190_entertaining_i-didn-t-want-to-just-write-stories-that_359964.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e93/max-lucado-190_entertaining_i-didn-t-want-to-just-write-stories-that_359964.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e93/max-lucado-190_entertaining_i-didn-t-want-to-just-write-stories-that_359964.jpg) > “I didn't want to just write stories that were entertaining. Nor did I want to be so scholarly that people couldn't digest it.” [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He seeks a balance between engaging storytelling and accessible depth, avoiding both shallow entertainment and overly academic prose. **In simple terms:** Balance fun and depth in writing. Key Takeaway Write stories that are both enjoyable and understandable. Themes writing balance accessibility Mood thoughtful inspired Type advice literary When to use this quote - teaching - public speaking - blogging - novel writing Key Concepts literary style readability audience engagement Questions to Reflect On - How do you gauge the right level of complexity for your audience? - What techniques help keep a story entertaining yet substantive? A Different Perspective May sacrifice depth for broader appeal; risk of oversimplification. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“Part of the reason I got so thin is because my pancreas simply couldn’t digest my food and so I couldn’t absorb anything. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathryn-kemp/part-of-the-reason-i-got-so-thin-is-because-my-pancreas-simply-couldn/) [Cathryn Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathryn-kemp/) > [I always want to surprise audiences and tell stories that are entertaining and challenging at the same time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-hechinger/i-always-want-to-surprise-audiences-and-tell-stories-that-are/) [Fred Hechinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-hechinger/) > [The power that you have as a storyteller is to be able to tell stories that are at once entertaining but also never lose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheo-hodari-coker/the-power-that-you-have-as-a-storyteller-is-to-be-able-to-tell/) [Cheo Hodari Coker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheo-hodari-coker/) > [The only thing that matters to me about my stories is that they're entertaining and they're funny. And I tend to get bored easily,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/the-only-thing-that-matters-to-me-about-my-stories-is-that-they-re/) [Christopher Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-moore/) > [The wonder of a free-market society is that we can all do our best to package our message in an entertaining fashion and present…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/the-wonder-of-a-free-market-society-is-that-we-can-all-do-our-best-to/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [The Prodigal Son story is, I think, the greatest short-story ever written. It has such drama in it, such great characters, it's so clear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/the-prodigal-son-story-is-i-think-the-greatest-short-story-ever/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [Almost all scholarly research carries practical and political implications. Better that we should spell these out ourselves than leave that task to people with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-coontz/almost-all-scholarly-research-carries-practical-and-political/) [Stephanie Coontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-coontz/) > [Archaeology, I found, comprehended all manner of excitement and achievement. Adventure is coupled with bookish toil. Romantic excursions go hand in hand with scholarly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/archaeology-i-found-comprehended-all-manner-of-excitement-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Only the free and personal man is a good citizen (realist), and even with the lack of particular (scholarly, artistic, etc)culture, a tasteful judge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-stirner/only-the-free-and-personal-man-is-a-good-citizen-realist-and-even/) [Max Stirner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-stirner/) > [As a shy, introverted, scholarly child (long ago) I don't know what I would have done without libraries! My family moved often. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lois-lowry/as-a-shy-introverted-scholarly-child-long-ago-i-don-t-know-what-i/) [Lois Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lois-lowry/) > [Environmental history was . . . born out of a moral purpose, with strong political commitments behind it, but also became, as it matured,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-worster/environmental-history-was-born-out-of-a-moral-purpose-with-strong/) [Donald Worster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-worster/) > [Gary Burnetts office is shelved with theological books, guitars fill the floor, and the drawers are crammed with CDs. In The Gospel According to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-stockman/gary-burnetts-office-is-shelved-with-theological-books-guitars-fill/) [Steve Stockman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-stockman/) > [“The tunnel under the wall of intellectual snobbery is the only way back to common sense reality, but most won't find it because it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-e-navarro/the-tunnel-under-the-wall-of-intellectual-snobbery-is-the-only-way/) [D.E. Navarro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-e-navarro/) > [It is customary for the recipient of this award to offer personal or scholarly comment on the nature and the direction of literature. At…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/it-is-customary-for-the-recipient-of-this-award-to-offer-personal-or/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [As for journalism education, there are some terrifically exciting things going on in some schools. Others are struggling to adapt. Curriculum changes can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rosenstiel/as-for-journalism-education-there-are-some-terrifically-exciting/) [Tom Rosenstiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rosenstiel/) ## More by Max Lucado > [I really enjoy making people laugh; I've discovered that's a great technique. That's as powerful as stirring their sorrow, stirring their compassion, because that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/i-really-enjoy-making-people-laugh-i-ve-discovered-that-s-a-great/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [When we look at the love of Christ, we make a wonderful discovery. Love is more a decision than an emotion! Christ-like love applauds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/when-we-look-at-the-love-of-christ-we-make-a-wonderful-discovery-love/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [You will be at your best forever, Even now you have good moments. Occasional glimpses of your heavenly self. When you change your baby's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/you-will-be-at-your-best-forever-even-now-you-have-good-moments/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [“Ageing. We laugh about it, and we groan about it. We resist it, but we cant't stop it. And with the chuckles and wrinkles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/ageing-we-laugh-about-it-and-we-groan-about-it-we-resist-it-but-we/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [“You’ve already learned, haven’t you, that a promise made is not always a promise kept? Just because someone is called your dad, that doesn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/you-ve-already-learned-haven-t-you-that-a-promise-made-is-not-always/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [God is near whether you sense His presence or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/god-is-near-whether-you-sense-his-presence-or-not/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [If you're feeling pain, express that to the Lord. If you're feeling worried, express those worries. One passage that gives me comfort is in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/if-you-re-feeling-pain-express-that-to-the-lord-if-you-re-feeling/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [The church is never a place to show off. Do your good deeds quietly. Serve; don't seek to be seen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/the-church-is-never-a-place-to-show-off-do-your-good-deeds-quietly/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [If there are a thousand steps between us and God, He will take all but one. He will leave the final one for us.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/if-there-are-a-thousand-steps-between-us-and-god-he-will-take-all-but/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [God's love never ceases. Never... God doesn't love us less if we fail or more if we succeed. God's love never ceases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/god-s-love-never-ceases-never-god-doesn-t-love-us-less-if-we-fail-or/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [Are you on the eve of change? Embrace it. Accept it. Don't resist it. Change is not only a part of life, change is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/are-you-on-the-eve-of-change-embrace-it-accept-it-don-t-resist-it/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [There's no limit to God's love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/there-s-no-limit-to-god-s-love/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [God will use whatever he wants to display his glory. Heavens and stars. History and nations. People and problems.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/god-will-use-whatever-he-wants-to-display-his-glory-heavens-and-stars/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [Whether or not storms come, we can not choose. But where we stare during a storm, that we can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/whether-or-not-storms-come-we-can-not-choose-but-where-we-stare/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [Write today's worries in sand. Chisel yesterday's victories in stone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/write-today-s-worries-in-sand-chisel-yesterday-s-victories-in-stone/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) [Explore all 968 Max Lucado quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) ## More Entertaining quotes > [One of the best moments of any Liars show is hearing the crowd squawk 'We're doomed! We're doomed!' on cue during 'We Fenced Other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-sheffield/one-of-the-best-moments-of-any-liars-show-is-hearing-the-crowd-squawk/) [Rob Sheffield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-sheffield/) > [I would have done well as a gypsy child, I think. A circus baby. I coulda played a great street urchin or ragamuffin. Or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-lyonne/i-would-have-done-well-as-a-gypsy-child-i-think-a-circus-baby-i/) [Natasha Lyonne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-lyonne/) > [When I act, I act. When I sing, I sing. I don't put one over the other. Entertaining is what I do best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irene-cara/when-i-act-i-act-when-i-sing-i-sing-i-don-t-put-one-over-the-other/) [Irene Cara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irene-cara/) > [The easiest way for readers to connect with characters and feel sympathy is to make the character entertaining, sympathetic and likeable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randa-abdel-fattah/the-easiest-way-for-readers-to-connect-with-characters-and-feel/) [Randa Abdel-Fattah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randa-abdel-fattah/) > [The Games have been decimated. If you take away the Eastern Bloc, you take away 50% of the medals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-pickering/the-games-have-been-decimated-if-you-take-away-the-eastern-bloc-you/) [Ron Pickering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-pickering/) > [Fun-run" indeed,what a misnomer. That'd be like saying "calm gremlin" or "pleasant hag." Or 'entertaining history textbook.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiersten-white/fun-run-indeed-what-a-misnomer-that-d-be-like-saying-calm-gremlin-or/) [Kiersten White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiersten-white/) > [I think the only real referent for anybody writing drama is probably Hamlet. You have the most extreme tragic drama, this sort of blood-boltered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-monahan/i-think-the-only-real-referent-for-anybody-writing-drama-is-probably/) [William Monahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-monahan/) > [A rollicking good read-THE HUNTER is steampunk with a Wild West feel. Theresa Meyers is an entertaining and witty writer with a fresh, new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yasmine-galenorn/a-rollicking-good-read-the-hunter-is-steampunk-with-a-wild-west-feel/) [Yasmine Galenorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yasmine-galenorn/) > [ Perhaps \[the critics are right and\] the drama is played out now and Jesus is safely dead and buried. Perhaps. It is ironical and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/perhaps-the-critics-are-right-and-the-drama-is-played-out-now-and/) [Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/) > [Regardless of the importance of known evidence to the contrary, the arts are generally regarded as being so much entertaining fluff, a commodity that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-danby/regardless-of-the-importance-of-known-evidence-to-the-contrary-the/) [Ken Danby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-danby/) > [I have zero interest in performing in films to try to convey any kind of message. My job is to be entertaining. There's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-willis/i-have-zero-interest-in-performing-in-films-to-try-to-convey-any-kind/) [Bruce Willis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-willis/) > [Gary Greenberg is a thoughtful comedian and a cranky philosopher and a humble pest of a reporter, equal parts Woody Allen, Kierkegaard, and Columbo.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gideon-lewis-kraus/gary-greenberg-is-a-thoughtful-comedian-and-a-cranky-philosopher-and/) [Gideon Lewis-Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gideon-lewis-kraus/) > [I like men. They are hugely entertaining, but they have a lot of shortcomings and you just have to bear those in mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-brand/i-like-men-they-are-hugely-entertaining-but-they-have-a-lot-of/) [Jo Brand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-brand/) > [When I get stressed out my de-stress default is - not cat videos - but I just watch his surrogates. They're so entertaining. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-hanna/when-i-get-stressed-out-my-de-stress-default-is-not-cat-videos-but-i/) [Kathleen Hanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-hanna/) > [Braxton Cosby's stories feel personal and well thought-out. I'm happy to welcome this entertaining writer to the YA science fiction field. I look forward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tananarive-due/braxton-cosby-s-stories-feel-personal-and-well-thought-out-i-m-happy/) [Tananarive Due](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tananarive-due/) Browse all 933 Entertaining quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I didn't want to just write stories that were entertaining. 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