--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Good writing is deceptive in that it…" description: "\"Good writing is deceptive in that it hides its own artifice - it makes it seem easy.\" — Michael Arndt" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f71/michael-arndt-21037_artifice_good-writing-is-deceptive-in-that-it-hid_1949213.png" --- # Good writing is deceptive in that it hides its own… ![“Good writing is deceptive in that it hides its own artifice - it makes it seem easy.” quote by Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f71/michael-arndt-21037_artifice_good-writing-is-deceptive-in-that-it-hid_1949213.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f71/michael-arndt-21037_artifice_good-writing-is-deceptive-in-that-it-hid_1949213.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f71/michael-arndt-21037_artifice_good-writing-is-deceptive-in-that-it-hid_1949213.png) > “Good writing is deceptive in that it hides its own artifice - it makes it seem easy.” [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Good writing hides its craft, making the story feel effortless. **In simple terms:** Skill is invisible. Key Takeaway Make writing seamless. Themes writing craft deception Mood analytical reflective Type educational inspirational When to use this quote - novel writing - screenplay - editing Key Concepts narrative technique illusion simplicity Questions to Reflect On - How does hidden craft affect reader trust? - When is transparency better? A Different Perspective Over‑simplifying can obscure depth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Good writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-writing/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I did plays in college, and I have half of a play. But I'm kind of stuck. 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Would you give them the same names, and respect the mask as you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/what-would-you-make-no-distinction-between-hypocrisy-and-devotion/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) > [The younger and healthier a woman is and the more her new and glossy body seems destined for eternal freshness, the less useful is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-de-beauvoir/the-younger-and-healthier-a-woman-is-and-the-more-her-new-and-glossy/) [Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-de-beauvoir/) > [By the word simplicity, is not always meant folly or ignorance; but often, pure and upright Nature, free from artifice, craft or deceitful ornament.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/by-the-word-simplicity-is-not-always-meant-folly-or-ignorance-but/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [If a close examination of the evidences of Christianity may be expected of one class of men more than another, it would seem incumbent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-greenleaf/if-a-close-examination-of-the-evidences-of-christianity-may-be/) [Simon Greenleaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-greenleaf/) > [Each day is a miracle that intoxicates me. I want more. I greet every morning like a new pleasure. And yet I am keenly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malika-oufkir/each-day-is-a-miracle-that-intoxicates-me-i-want-more-i-greet-every/) Malika Oufkir > [The girl in the mirror caught my eye briefly...It is an uncanny feeling, that rare occasion when one catches a glimpse of oneself in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-morton/the-girl-in-the-mirror-caught-my-eye-briefly-it-is-an-uncanny-feeling/) [Kate Morton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-morton/) > [Cupid is naked and does not like artifices contrived by beauty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/propertius/cupid-is-naked-and-does-not-like-artifices-contrived-by-beauty/) [Propertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/propertius/) > [Being blond is definitely a different state of mind. 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It tends to fade pretty quickly, but (for me, at least) there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/i-like-to-begin-every-screenplay-with-a-burst-of-delusional-self/) [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) > [The best writing really does come from the deepest, most private part of you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/the-best-writing-really-does-come-from-the-deepest-most-private-part/) [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) > [The fluidity of thought is based on the flexibility of beliefs and the emotional boundaries surrounding them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/the-fluidity-of-thought-is-based-on-the-flexibility-of-beliefs-and/) [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) > [My God, there are so many mediocre screenplays out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/my-god-there-are-so-many-mediocre-screenplays-out-there/) [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) > [Every problem offers an opportunity for a solution. if you are in the right frame of mind to find it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/every-problem-offers-an-opportunity-for-a-solution-if-you-are-in-the/) [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) > [The number one metaphor I have in my mind for writing a screenplay is that...you're trying to climb a mountain blindfolded. And the funny…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/the-number-one-metaphor-i-have-in-my-mind-for-writing-a-screenplay-is/) [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) > [I can write two scripts concurrently, but I usually prefer to do one at a time. However, I also usually have 5 or 6…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/i-can-write-two-scripts-concurrently-but-i-usually-prefer-to-do-one/) [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) > [I figured I’d probably write 50 scripts in my life. Out of those 50, I figured maybe five would be produced, and that maybe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/i-figured-i-d-probably-write-50-scripts-in-my-life-out-of-those-50-i/) [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) > [We have the freedom to excel or inhibit our potential. You are the grand designer of your thoughts and emotions. At some level or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/we-have-the-freedom-to-excel-or-inhibit-our-potential-you-are-the/) [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) > [If you write a bunch of different characters with a bunch of different opinions, you end up with these long scenes of everyone standing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/if-you-write-a-bunch-of-different-characters-with-a-bunch-of/) [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) > [Adversity challenges the masks we hide behind, revealing sides of ourselves we have not yet comfortably with the world outside. It is why we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/adversity-challenges-the-masks-we-hide-behind-revealing-sides-of/) [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) > [You never want your second act or the whole movie to just be this relentless march towards its goal. You want things to take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/you-never-want-your-second-act-or-the-whole-movie-to-just-be-this/) [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) [Explore all 30 Michael Arndt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) ## More Artifice quotes > [I did plays in college, and I have half of a play. But I'm kind of stuck. I keep revisiting it so maybe it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aimee-bender/i-did-plays-in-college-and-i-have-half-of-a-play-but-i-m-kind-of/) [Aimee Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aimee-bender/) > [It is sometimes necessary to play the fool to avoid being deceived by cunning men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/it-is-sometimes-necessary-to-play-the-fool-to-avoid-being-deceived-by/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [To the extent that I've ever understood postmodernism - and I'm sure there are people out there who do, but I'm not one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-erickson/to-the-extent-that-i-ve-ever-understood-postmodernism-and-i-m-sure/) [Steve Erickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-erickson/) > [Films are artifice. We're telling stories on film. At the same time, when it works, there is a real tough immediacy and spontaneity to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-mcgann/films-are-artifice-we-re-telling-stories-on-film-at-the-same-time/) [Paul McGann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-mcgann/) > [Holidays are in no sense an alternative to the congestion and bustle of the cities and work. Quite the contrary. People look to escape…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-baudrillard/holidays-are-in-no-sense-an-alternative-to-the-congestion-and-bustle/) [Jean Baudrillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-baudrillard/) > [But since the Modernists (as they are commonly and rightly called) employ a very clever artifice, namely, to present their doctrines without order and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-pius-x/but-since-the-modernists-as-they-are-commonly-and-rightly-called/) [Pope Pius X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-pius-x/) > [Being blond is definitely a different state of mind. I can't really put my finger on it, but the artifice of being blond has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madonna-ciccone/being-blond-is-definitely-a-different-state-of-mind-i-can-t-really/) [Madonna Ciccone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madonna-ciccone/) > [Cupid is naked and does not like artifices contrived by beauty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/propertius/cupid-is-naked-and-does-not-like-artifices-contrived-by-beauty/) [Propertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/propertius/) > [The girl in the mirror caught my eye briefly...It is an uncanny feeling, that rare occasion when one catches a glimpse of oneself in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-morton/the-girl-in-the-mirror-caught-my-eye-briefly-it-is-an-uncanny-feeling/) [Kate Morton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-morton/) > [Each day is a miracle that intoxicates me. I want more. I greet every morning like a new pleasure. And yet I am keenly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malika-oufkir/each-day-is-a-miracle-that-intoxicates-me-i-want-more-i-greet-every/) Malika Oufkir > [If a close examination of the evidences of Christianity may be expected of one class of men more than another, it would seem incumbent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-greenleaf/if-a-close-examination-of-the-evidences-of-christianity-may-be/) [Simon Greenleaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-greenleaf/) > [By the word simplicity, is not always meant folly or ignorance; but often, pure and upright Nature, free from artifice, craft or deceitful ornament.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/by-the-word-simplicity-is-not-always-meant-folly-or-ignorance-but/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [The younger and healthier a woman is and the more her new and glossy body seems destined for eternal freshness, the less useful is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-de-beauvoir/the-younger-and-healthier-a-woman-is-and-the-more-her-new-and-glossy/) [Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-de-beauvoir/) > [What! Would you make no distinction between hypocrisy and devotion? Would you give them the same names, and respect the mask as you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/what-would-you-make-no-distinction-between-hypocrisy-and-devotion/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) > [Art lies by its own artifice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/art-lies-by-its-own-artifice/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) Browse all 166 Artifice quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Good writing is deceptive in that it hides its own artifice - it makes it seem easy.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Michael Arndt" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/good-writing-is-deceptive-in-that-it-hides-its-own-artifice-it-makes/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Artifice" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/good-writing-is-deceptive-in-that-it-hides-its-own-artifice-it-makes/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f71/michael-arndt-21037_artifice_good-writing-is-deceptive-in-that-it-hid_1949213.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f71/michael-arndt-21037_artifice_good-writing-is-deceptive-in-that-it-hid_1949213.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f71/michael-arndt-21037_artifice_good-writing-is-deceptive-in-that-it-hid_1949213.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Good writing is deceptive in that it hides its own artifice - it makes it seem easy.” — Michael Arndt", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Michael Arndt", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Good writing is deceptive in that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/good-writing-is-deceptive-in-that-it-hides-its-own-artifice-it-makes/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/good-writing-is-deceptive-in-that-it-hides-its-own-artifice-it-makes/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```