--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The element of surprise is the most…" description: "\"The element of surprise is the most important thing and what keeps me interested in writing. I can feel it if I've written that predictable or boring l..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68b/phoebe-waller-bridge-8068_boring_the-element-of-surprise-is-the-most-impo_1180108.jpg" --- # The element of surprise is the most important thing and… ![“The element of surprise is the most important thing and what keeps me interested in writing. I can feel it if I've written that predictable or boring line, and I will carry that around with me all day.” quote by Phoebe Waller-Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68b/phoebe-waller-bridge-8068_boring_the-element-of-surprise-is-the-most-impo_1180108.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68b/phoebe-waller-bridge-8068_boring_the-element-of-surprise-is-the-most-impo_1180108.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68b/phoebe-waller-bridge-8068_boring_the-element-of-surprise-is-the-most-impo_1180108.jpg) > “The element of surprise is the most important thing and what keeps me interested in writing. I can feel it if I've written that predictable or boring line, and I will carry that around with me all day.” [Phoebe Waller-Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-waller-bridge/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Surprise fuels creativity; predictability signals stagnation, urging writers to seek novelty. **In simple terms:** Surprise keeps writing fresh. Key Takeaway Embrace unexpected ideas. Themes creativity novelty writing Mood playful thoughtful Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - novel writing - screenwriting - improvisation - creative brainstorming Key Concepts storytelling psychology Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance surprise with narrative clarity? - What techniques keep your work unpredictable? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on surprise can sacrifice coherence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/day/) [Element of surprise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/element-of-surprise/) [Surprise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surprise/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I want to keep looking for roles that have an element of surprise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahir-raj-bhasin/i-want-to-keep-looking-for-roles-that-have-an-element-of-surprise/) [Tahir Raj Bhasin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahir-raj-bhasin/) > [“In fight, by 'knowing what to do next', element of surprise can be overcomed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/in-fight-by-knowing-what-to-do-next-element-of-surprise-can-be/) [Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/) > [The element of surprise wasn't allowed near the Periodic Table.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gordon-levitt/the-element-of-surprise-wasn-t-allowed-near-the-periodic-table/) [Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-gordon-levitt/) > [“So much for the element of surprise,” I said. She sniffed. “I’d rather have the element of naked threat any day.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-r-green/so-much-for-the-element-of-surprise-i-said-she-sniffed-i-d-rather/) [Simon R. Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-r-green/) > [What I always got excited about with 'Arrested Development' was the element of surprise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-hale/what-i-always-got-excited-about-with-arrested-development-was-the/) [Tony Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-hale/) > [It's that element of surprise. When you lose control, you discover new things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-lanois/it-s-that-element-of-surprise-when-you-lose-control-you-discover-new/) [Daniel Lanois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-lanois/) > [That element of surprise is what I look for when I am writing. It is my way of judging what I am doing -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/v-s-naipaul/that-element-of-surprise-is-what-i-look-for-when-i-am-writing-it-is/) [V. S. Naipaul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/v-s-naipaul/) > [When I go to the cinema, I'm often frustrated because I can guess exactly what is going to happen about ten minutes into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergio-leone/when-i-go-to-the-cinema-i-m-often-frustrated-because-i-can-guess/) [Sergio Leone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergio-leone/) > [The element of surprise - where you think you know where a joke is going, and then you're wrong. Those are my favorite kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riki-lindhome/the-element-of-surprise-where-you-think-you-know-where-a-joke-is/) [Riki Lindhome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riki-lindhome/) > [The director Steve McQueen has found a way to constantly include the element of surprise in his work, both as an artist and as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elvis-mitchell/the-director-steve-mcqueen-has-found-a-way-to-constantly-include-the/) [Elvis Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elvis-mitchell/) > [I love the element of surprise, throwing people off of what they think they know about what I can do and who I am.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tyree-henry/i-love-the-element-of-surprise-throwing-people-off-of-what-they-think/) [Brian Tyree Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tyree-henry/) > [Life will be interesting only when there is an element of surprise in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamsalekha/life-will-be-interesting-only-when-there-is-an-element-of-surprise-in/) [Hamsalekha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamsalekha/) > [Element of surprise is really fun for me in comedy. I have to be surprised, and everything's been done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-galifianakis/element-of-surprise-is-really-fun-for-me-in-comedy-i-have-to-be/) [Zach Galifianakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-galifianakis/) > [If you are in difficulties with a book, try the element of surprise: attack it at an hour when it isn't expecting it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-in-difficulties-with-a-book-try-the-element-of-surprise/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you can capture the element of surprise, you're way ahead of the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-maisel/if-you-can-capture-the-element-of-surprise-you-re-way-ahead-of-the/) [Jay Maisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-maisel/) ## More by Phoebe Waller-Bridge > [I am comfortable talking about sex scenes and stuff, but to me, when it's physically explicit, I do feel prudish and uncomfortable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-waller-bridge/i-am-comfortable-talking-about-sex-scenes-and-stuff-but-to-me-when-it/) [Phoebe Waller-Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-waller-bridge/) > [I think there's something funny about people who laugh in the face of convention or surprise us morally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-waller-bridge/i-think-there-s-something-funny-about-people-who-laugh-in-the-face-of/) [Phoebe Waller-Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-waller-bridge/) > [I'll never get bored of seeing flawed women on the screen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-waller-bridge/i-ll-never-get-bored-of-seeing-flawed-women-on-the-screen/) [Phoebe Waller-Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-waller-bridge/) > [Fleabag knows men and women are equal and should be treated as such, but what she's confused about - and what I was confused…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-waller-bridge/fleabag-knows-men-and-women-are-equal-and-should-be-treated-as-such/) [Phoebe Waller-Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-waller-bridge/) > [I feel like my home is stage acting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-waller-bridge/i-feel-like-my-home-is-stage-acting/) [Phoebe Waller-Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-waller-bridge/) > [I just kind of like to feel myself into stuff by writing scenes and seeing what characters end up saying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-waller-bridge/i-just-kind-of-like-to-feel-myself-into-stuff-by-writing-scenes-and/) [Phoebe Waller-Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-waller-bridge/) > [I just find all that stuff incredibly funny. I love a fart. I'd do anything for a good poo story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-waller-bridge/i-just-find-all-that-stuff-incredibly-funny-i-love-a-fart-i-d-do/) [Phoebe Waller-Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-waller-bridge/) > [Women know what they're doing all the time, and they're pretending that they don't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-waller-bridge/women-know-what-they-re-doing-all-the-time-and-they-re-pretending/) [Phoebe Waller-Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-waller-bridge/) > [I suppose the cult of the strong woman character on TV has probably been misinterpreted in so many different ways, meaning that a woman…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-waller-bridge/i-suppose-the-cult-of-the-strong-woman-character-on-tv-has-probably/) [Phoebe Waller-Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-waller-bridge/) > [Actually, my worst nightmare is losing my best friend, as I imagine most people's are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-waller-bridge/actually-my-worst-nightmare-is-losing-my-best-friend-as-i-imagine/) [Phoebe Waller-Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-waller-bridge/) > [I'm just constantly on the verge of bursting into tears with joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-waller-bridge/i-m-just-constantly-on-the-verge-of-bursting-into-tears-with-joy/) [Phoebe Waller-Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-waller-bridge/) > [The main relationship in the whole series was the one between the camera and Fleabag. I had to convince myself that whoever was watching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-waller-bridge/the-main-relationship-in-the-whole-series-was-the-one-between-the/) [Phoebe Waller-Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-waller-bridge/) > [This world of 'Star Wars' is just so accepting and beautiful that the idea a droid and a human are trying to waddle their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-waller-bridge/this-world-of-star-wars-is-just-so-accepting-and-beautiful-that-the/) [Phoebe Waller-Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-waller-bridge/) > [I always knew that if I was ever going to perform something that I wrote in front of an audience, I was going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-waller-bridge/i-always-knew-that-if-i-was-ever-going-to-perform-something-that-i/) [Phoebe Waller-Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-waller-bridge/) > [I'd go so far as to say I was bullied into writing, but sometimes you need that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-waller-bridge/i-d-go-so-far-as-to-say-i-was-bullied-into-writing-but-sometimes-you/) [Phoebe Waller-Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-waller-bridge/) [Explore all 84 Phoebe Waller-Bridge quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-waller-bridge/) ## More Boring quotes > [Normal is so Boring!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/normal-is-so-boring/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I don't want easy success. It's boring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sudeep/i-don-t-want-easy-success-it-s-boring/) [Sudeep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sudeep/) > [I'd be very controversial if I said why, and I don't do controversial anymore. That's too passé. So last year. Being controversial is boring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-i-a/i-d-be-very-controversial-if-i-said-why-and-i-don-t-do-controversial/) M.I.A > [The word 'mundane' has come to mean 'boring' and 'dull', and it really shouldn't - it should mean the opposite. Because it comes from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/the-word-mundane-has-come-to-mean-boring-and-dull-and-it-really/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [Life is what you make it¦If one refuses to use ones imagination..it will be boring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-what-you-make-it-if-one-refuses-to-use-ones-imagination-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I had sort of had a 21st birthday when I was 17, 18 years old living in Japan. I had all of that stuff…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-wright/i-had-sort-of-had-a-21st-birthday-when-i-was-17-18-years-old-living/) [Sarah Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-wright/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I'm bored of being bored because being bored is very boring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sachithra/i-m-bored-of-being-bored-because-being-bored-is-very-boring/) [Sachithra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sachithra/) > [The films I find boring are the ones that have no space for the audience's misconceptions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josephine-decker/the-films-i-find-boring-are-the-ones-that-have-no-space-for-the/) [Josephine Decker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josephine-decker/) > [It is an interesting law of romance that a truly strong woman will choose a strong man who disagrees with her over a weak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ebert/it-is-an-interesting-law-of-romance-that-a-truly-strong-woman-will/) [Roger Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ebert/) > [I've always felt that dark lyrics with dark music is pretty useless. Maybe that's a strong statement - not useless, but for me, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-bird/i-ve-always-felt-that-dark-lyrics-with-dark-music-is-pretty-useless/) [Andrew Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-bird/) > [Something is wrong if workers do not look around each day, find things that are tedious or boring, and then rewrite the procedures. Even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taiichi-ohno/something-is-wrong-if-workers-do-not-look-around-each-day-find-things/) [Taiichi Ohno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taiichi-ohno/) > [Plumbing is usually boring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-berenson/plumbing-is-usually-boring/) [Alex Berenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-berenson/) > [If something is boring after two minutes, try it for four. If still boring, then eight. Then sixteen. Then thirty-two. Eventually one discovers that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cage/if-something-is-boring-after-two-minutes-try-it-for-four-if-still/) [John Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cage/) > [Acting is an escape from the boring person that I am in real life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-shawn/acting-is-an-escape-from-the-boring-person-that-i-am-in-real-life/) [Wallace Shawn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-shawn/) Browse all 3,123 Boring quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The element of surprise is the most important thing and what keeps me interested in writing. 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