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Air Quote by Peter Orner

“I used to be surprised and a little annoyed when characters would reappear in my mind, itching to be in another story. Now I realize it's part of the deal, that you create these people out of thin air but then, if you do it right, they actually live.” quote by Peter Orner
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“I used to be surprised and a little annoyed when characters would reappear in my mind, itching to be in another story. Now I realize it's part of the deal, that you create these people out of thin air but then, if you do it right, they actually live.”

Peter Orner

About This Quote

Source Interview: Discussing storytelling, 2020, The New Yorker

Imagined characters become vivid, living entities when crafted well, reflecting the power of narrative.

In simple terms: Stories make characters feel real.

Key Takeaway

Invest in deep character development.

Themes

creativity fiction psychology

Mood

reflective inspired

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • creative writing
  • reading
  • role‑playing games
  • film making

Key Concepts

narrative immersion character construction mental imagery

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance imagination with reality?
  • What techniques help characters feel authentic?
A Different Perspective

Risk of over‑identification may blur reality.

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