--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Too often we sit back and speak…" description: "\"“Too often we sit back and speak platitudes of the nitty-gritty bits of writing; the editing, the story structure, the verbal sparring vs. banter, the ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60d/rachel-heffington-23960_character-developmen_too-often-we-sit-back-and-speak-platitud_2426711.jpg" --- # Too often we sit back and speak platitudes of the… ![“Too often we sit back and speak platitudes of the nitty-gritty bits of writing; the editing, the story structure, the verbal sparring vs. banter, the character development, the world-building become more important to us than the tune rhythm of the tale. And when you lose the music of the story…” quote by Rachel Heffington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60d/rachel-heffington-23960_character-developmen_too-often-we-sit-back-and-speak-platitud_2426711.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60d/rachel-heffington-23960_character-developmen_too-often-we-sit-back-and-speak-platitud_2426711.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60d/rachel-heffington-23960_character-developmen_too-often-we-sit-back-and-speak-platitud_2426711.jpg) > ““Too often we sit back and speak platitudes of the nitty-gritty bits of writing; the editing, the story structure, the verbal sparring vs. banter, the character development, the world-building become more important to us than the tune rhythm of the tale. And when you lose the music of the story, all the footwork in the world is not going to make up for the loss of continuity and heart. We need to take a step back in our souls and conjure the image of what this story is: the notes and beats and things woven into it's fullness. See, that's what is so easy to lose sight of as we write. We forget that, in a way, this story is a full story in itself. We tend to try to build the story piece by piece, line upon line, precept upon precept, but that--as any true writer knows--is not entirely practical. A story does have its own identity. To some extent, the story exists in your mind as a whole. Its own being. To chance sounding sappy: Your story is a full piece of music waiting for you to dance it into existence. Don't make the mistake of leaving out all the music. It is tempting to want to have everything arranged to perfection so that little editing will be done. But if you are keeping in mind the way your story needs to run--feeling it and dwelling in the beauty of its passion and color and vibe--the footwork will take care of itself. Certainly it will require practice and your technicalities will need a little work--everyone's does. But you will have captured the essence and blood of the tale, and really that's the prettiest part of a dance.”” [Rachel Heffington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-heffington/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Emphasizes that a story’s emotional rhythm is essential; technical details cannot replace its musical heart. **In simple terms:** Storytelling needs emotional flow. Key Takeaway Focus on the story’s emotional core before details. Themes storytelling creativity rhythm Mood inspirational thoughtful Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - writing workshops - novel drafting - editing sessions Key Concepts narrative theory artistic expression Questions to Reflect On - What is the “music” of your story? - How can you balance structure with feeling? A Different Perspective Risk of over‑editing and losing spontaneity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character development](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character-development/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Storytelling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/storytelling/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Writing advice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-advice/) ## Related quotes > [“At some point we must stop editing everyone else' story and start writing our own.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-e-carson/at-some-point-we-must-stop-editing-everyone-else-story-and-start/) John E. Carson > [I know how to tell a story to a thousand people. Sometimes I don't know how to tell a story to a piece of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-finneran/i-know-how-to-tell-a-story-to-a-thousand-people-sometimes-i-don-t/) [Katie Finneran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-finneran/) > [The story is a piece of work. 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Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haddon-w-robinson/) > [I was looking for something that, was different and that would challenge me in a different way, that was fun and people I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emilie-de-ravin/i-was-looking-for-something-that-was-different-and-that-would/) [Emilie De Ravin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emilie-de-ravin/) > [“It is hardly necessary to stress the fact that the ability to love as an act of giving depends on the character development of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/it-is-hardly-necessary-to-stress-the-fact-that-the-ability-to-love-as/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) ## More by Rachel Heffington > [“The best kind of praise is intelligent praise.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-heffington/the-best-kind-of-praise-is-intelligent-praise/) [Rachel Heffington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-heffington/) > [“THAT SCAR. SHE DREW HER EYES FROM IT BUT THEY DESCENDED AGAIN AND YET AGAIN UNTIL SHE FELT PECULIARLY DROWNED IN THE GUILTY MARK.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-heffington/that-scar-she-drew-her-eyes-from-it-but-they-descended-again-and-yet/) [Rachel Heffington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-heffington/) > [“In order to be heard, an author must have readers...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-heffington/in-order-to-be-heard-an-author-must-have-readers/) [Rachel Heffington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-heffington/) > [“Also, can we take a moment to appreciate the fact that there has never been and probably will never be another actress as thoroughly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-heffington/also-can-we-take-a-moment-to-appreciate-the-fact-that-there-has-never/) [Rachel Heffington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-heffington/) > [“People without fine voices would never sing. Children would never draw pictures because they weren't real artists. Learning an instrument would be illegal unless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-heffington/people-without-fine-voices-would-never-sing-children-would-never-draw/) [Rachel Heffington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-heffington/) > [“Our eyes met and the soul-light danced between. "Well.." he said, "how about coffee?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-heffington/our-eyes-met-and-the-soul-light-danced-between-well-he-said-how-about/) [Rachel Heffington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-heffington/) > [“There was more than one thing wrong with the whole story anyway. Had no one thought it remotely suspicious? 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There is a difference, you know.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-heffington/we-are-not-in-a-foul-humor-belkin-we-are-in-a-corrupt-tempered-moon/) [Rachel Heffington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-heffington/) > [“Sure, at heart I wanted to be a Dickens, but I hated being great on command.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-heffington/sure-at-heart-i-wanted-to-be-a-dickens-but-i-hated-being-great-on/) [Rachel Heffington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-heffington/) > [“My, my, what is the world coming to that women should have feet? Even large ones”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-heffington/my-my-what-is-the-world-coming-to-that-women-should-have-feet-even/) [Rachel Heffington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-heffington/) > [“Because prayer is the best way to set a wrong thing right again. Admitting I don't have the answers. Asking the One who does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-heffington/because-prayer-is-the-best-way-to-set-a-wrong-thing-right-again/) [Rachel Heffington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-heffington/) > [“Asking a writer why they like to write {in the theoretical sense of the question} is like asking a person why they breathe. For…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-heffington/asking-a-writer-why-they-like-to-write-in-the-theoretical-sense-of/) [Rachel Heffington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-heffington/) > [“The world was at my fingertips. But I was tired of being at its fingertips.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-heffington/the-world-was-at-my-fingertips-but-i-was-tired-of-being-at-its/) [Rachel Heffington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-heffington/) [Explore all 25 Rachel Heffington quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-heffington/) ## More Character development quotes > [“It is hardly necessary to stress the fact that the ability to love as an act of giving depends on the character development of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/it-is-hardly-necessary-to-stress-the-fact-that-the-ability-to-love-as/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [I was looking for something that, was different and that would challenge me in a different way, that was fun and people I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emilie-de-ravin/i-was-looking-for-something-that-was-different-and-that-would/) [Emilie De Ravin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emilie-de-ravin/) > [I feel that Pride and Prejudice is an incredibly well constructed novel on every level. The dialogue is great. The character development is great.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-sittenfeld/i-feel-that-pride-and-prejudice-is-an-incredibly-well-constructed/) [Curtis Sittenfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-sittenfeld/) > [“Perfection should generally be avoided in a character. Real people, such as your readers, aren’t flawless and chances are they are not going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-hart/perfection-should-generally-be-avoided-in-a-character-real-people/) [Craig Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-hart/) > [“A relationship built on lies and trickery will not last; only truthfulness can uphold a relationship”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idowu-koyenikan/a-relationship-built-on-lies-and-trickery-will-not-last-only/) [idowu koyenikan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idowu-koyenikan/) > [“I am really excited about the Gemini Ascending series. If like me, you never wanted 'Game of Thrones' or 'Lord of the Rings' to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-john-terranova/i-am-really-excited-about-the-gemini-ascending-series-if-like-me-you/) Mark John Terranova > [When I play a game, I want to play, not necessarily laugh. If you try to make me laugh at the expense of interactivity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-tennapel/when-i-play-a-game-i-want-to-play-not-necessarily-laugh-if-you-try-to/) [Doug TenNapel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-tennapel/) > [I don't know who will overcome losses, some losses aren't meant to be overcome, but all losses make for good stories and good character…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirsten-vangsness/i-don-t-know-who-will-overcome-losses-some-losses-aren-t-meant-to-be/) [Kirsten Vangsness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirsten-vangsness/) > [Meditation may require a lifetime to master, but it will have been a lifetime well spent. ... 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That's a huge character development for me, I must say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iman-vellani/i-ve-listened-to-bollywood-music-willingly-now-that-s-a-huge/) [Iman Vellani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iman-vellani/) [Browse all 129 Character development quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character-development/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Too often we sit back and speak platitudes of the nitty-gritty bits of writing; the editing, the story structure, the verbal sparring vs. banter, the character development, the world-building become more important to us than the tune rhythm of the tale. And when you lose the music of the story, all the footwork in the world is not going to make up for the loss of continuity and heart. We need to take a step back in our souls and conjure the image of what this story is: the notes and beats and things woven into it's fullness. See, that's what is so easy to lose sight of as we write. We forget that, in a way, this story is a full story in itself. We tend to try to build the story piece by piece, line upon line, precept upon precept, but that--as any true writer knows--is not entirely practical. A story does have its own identity. To some extent, the story exists in your mind as a whole. Its own being. To chance sounding sappy: Your story is a full piece of music waiting for you to dance it into existence. Don't make the mistake of leaving out all the music. It is tempting to want to have everything arranged to perfection so that little editing will be done. But if you are keeping in mind the way your story needs to run--feeling it and dwelling in the beauty of its passion and color and vibe--the footwork will take care of itself. Certainly it will require practice and your technicalities will need a little work--everyone's does. 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