Books Quote by P.G. Wodehouse
![“[T]he success of every novel -- if it's a novel of action -- depends on the high spots. The thing to do is to say to yourself, "What are my big scenes?" and then get every drop of juice out of them." (Interview, The Paris Review , Issue 64, Winter 1975)” quote by P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5b8/p-g-wodehouse-723_books_t-he-success-of-every-novel-if-it-s-a-no_1197285.jpg)
““[T]he success of every novel -- if it's a novel of action -- depends on the high spots. The thing to do is to say to yourself, "What are my big scenes?" and then get every drop of juice out of them." (Interview, The Paris Review , Issue 64, Winter 1975)””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Paris Review, Issue 64, Winter 1975
A writer should identify the most dramatic moments in a story and fully exploit them, extracting maximum impact and energy.
In simple terms: Focus on the most dramatic scenes and make them count.
Key Takeaway
Maximize impact by highlighting key moments.
Themes
writing
creativity
storytelling
focus
Mood
analytical
motivational
Type
instructional
inspirational
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- screenwriting
- public speaking
Key Concepts
narrative tension
character arcs
dramatic structure
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the “big scenes” in your current project?
- How can you balance climax with quieter moments?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on big scenes may neglect subtle development.
![“Sophie [Kinsella]'s writing just captivated me. We bought this eight years ago, before it became an international success and was only one book. Now there's five. So, we were very fortunate to latch onto a character who has since become an international success both as a novel and hopefully now as…” quote by Jerry Bruckheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c06/jerry-bruckheimer-10690_book_sophie-kinsella-s-writing-just-captivate_477226.jpg)
![“[A]lways get to the dialogue as soon as possible. I always feel the thing to go for is speed. Nothing puts the reader off more than a big slab of prose at the start." (Interview, The Paris Review , Issue 64, Winter 1975)” quote by P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/989/p-g-wodehouse-723_communication_a-lways-get-to-the-dialogue-as-soon-as-p_13316.jpg)
![“...he switched on the [flashlight]. When he did so, he instantly became the center attraction to a rowdy mob of those gnats, moths, and beetles which collect in gangs and stay up late in the rural districts. They appeared to have been waiting for a congenial comrade to come along and give a fillip…” quote by P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/eb9/p-g-wodehouse-723_humorous_he-switched-on-the-flashlight-when-he-di_44308.jpg)
