--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I learned to separate the story from the…" description: "\"I learned to separate the story from the writing, probably the most important thing that any storyteller has to learn-that there are a thousand right w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39c/orson-scott-card-134_first-time_i-learned-to-separate-the-story-from-the_457458.png" --- # I learned to separate the story from the writing, probably… ![“I learned to separate the story from the writing, probably the most important thing that any storyteller has to learn-that there are a thousand right ways to tell a story, and ten million wrong ones, and you're a lot more likely to find one of the latter than the former your first time through the…” quote by Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39c/orson-scott-card-134_first-time_i-learned-to-separate-the-story-from-the_457458.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39c/orson-scott-card-134_first-time_i-learned-to-separate-the-story-from-the_457458.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39c/orson-scott-card-134_first-time_i-learned-to-separate-the-story-from-the_457458.png) > “I learned to separate the story from the writing, probably the most important thing that any storyteller has to learn-that there are a thousand right ways to tell a story, and ten million wrong ones, and you're a lot more likely to find one of the latter than the former your first time through the tale.” [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Storytelling requires separating narrative content from its presentation; many ways exist, but errors are common. **In simple terms:** Focus on story structure before style. Key Takeaway Master the story before polishing language. Themes writing storytelling craft creativity Mood thoughtful analytical inspirational Type educational philosophical When to use this quote - novel writing - screenplays - teaching writing Key Concepts narrative structure editing creative process Questions to Reflect On - What aspects of your story need the strongest focus? - How do you balance structure and creativity? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on style can obscure core story. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Important things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important-things/) [Right way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-way/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Story writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/story-writing/) [Storyteller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/storyteller/) [Storytelling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/storytelling/) [Tales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tales/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“I learned to separate the story from the writing, probably the most important thing that any storyteller has to learn— that there are a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/i-learned-to-separate-the-story-from-the-writing-probably-the-most-2/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [Creating is one thing; telling the story is one thing. I see myself more as a storyteller than a story creator.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-s-rajamouli/creating-is-one-thing-telling-the-story-is-one-thing-i-see-myself/) [S. S. Rajamouli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-s-rajamouli/) > [I learned to not separate writing, shooting, and editing, it's all sort of one big mess of creative output.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lowery/i-learned-to-not-separate-writing-shooting-and-editing-it-s-all-sort/) [David Lowery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lowery/) > [“Somewhere in my past, I learned that if you separate yourself, you don't get hurt. 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